Business
Mayor launches consultation on relocating City Hall to the Royal Docks
This morning the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan announced a consultation on plans for the Greater London Authority (GLA) to move its current base of operations from London's South Bank to a potential new headquarters at The Crystal building in the Royal Docks.
The Royal Docks is London’s largest regeneration project and also home to London’s only Enterprise Zone. The Crystal is one of the world’s most sustainable buildings and a beacon for the Royal Docks in terms of the vision for innovation and development. Having City Hall relocate to the Crystal would not only raise the global profile of the Royal Docks but would also drive footfall, further inject opportunities for culture, employment, training, delivery and regeneration that are already underway.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: “My first priority will always be to protect funding for front-line services, including public transport, the Met Police and the London Fire Brigade. That’s why I’m consulting on plans for the GLA to leave the current City Hall building next year and relocate to The Crystal at the Royal Docks in Newham. Leaving our current home would save £55 million over five years, which would help us to protect and invest in the things that matter most to Londoners, as well as supporting the regeneration of the Royal Docks. The Crystal is a highly sustainable building on the site of London’s most ambitious regeneration project, where the GLA and Newham Council are working together to create a new commercial district and visitor destination with thousands of new homes and jobs.”
The GLA moved into the current City Hall building in 2002 as part of the regeneration of the More London area near London Bridge. The success of that work is evident for all to see, with new restaurants, bars, offices, and cultural venues. The GLA hope that moving the seat of London's government to the Royal Docks will achieve the same. The move would further contribute to London's largest regeneration project which is set to lead to 25,000 new homes and the creation of 60,000 new jobs over the next 20 years, supported by the arrival of the Elizabeth line.
The Crystal is a highly sustainable building on the site of London’s most ambitious regeneration project, where the GLA and Newham Council are working together to create a new commercial district and visitor destination with thousands of new homes and jobs.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
Rokhsana Fiaz, the Mayor of Newham, said: “I’m delighted that City Hall could be relocating to the iconic Crystal Building in the Royal Docks in Newham. The stunning Royal Docks, with a water area of nearly 250 acres, is at the heart of one of the most exciting renovation developments in the capital, bringing more jobs, housing and a thriving new business district to East London. It’s a great opportunity to have London government in our borough, and I’m looking forward to welcoming the Mayor, Assembly Members and the City Hall team to this magnificent location which is a neighbourhood, rich in history, thriving with ambition; and with a long-standing diverse community who will welcome them warmly.”
Jeremy Rees, Chief Executive Officer, ExCeL London, said:
“We look forward to welcoming the Mayor and the Greater London Authority to the Royal Docks. This part of London is undergoing enormous change and will soon be home to thousands of new homes and jobs . I have no doubt that the relocation of City Hall to the Crystal Building could act as a catalyst for social and economic regeneration in the years to come.”
Bek Seeley, Managing Director Development, Europe for Lendlease, said:
“This is a terrific move, which demonstrates real confidence in the revival of the Royal Docks. We are working at full steam to bring forward a major regeneration of Silvertown Quays, just a stone’s throw away from the Crystal and we look forward to welcoming more residents, businesses and visitors to an area of east London that’s brimming with potential.”
The proposal is for the Mayor and the London Assembly to be based at The Crystal, which will be renamed as City Hall. The GLA will also lease one floor of Transport for London’s (TfL) Palestra building in Southwark for other staff. This will allow for improved collaborative working between the GLA and TfL. As part of the plan, the GLA will also enable staff to work from home more regularly to make the best use of the new office space that would be available.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will now begin a formal consultation on this proposal with the London Assembly, UNISON, PCS, the Chairs of GLA and Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) staff networks, and all GLA and MOPAC staff. This consultation commences on 24 June 2020 and will last for six weeks, ending on 5 August 2020.
https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-to-consult-on-relocating-city-hall
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