BDP to design Boxpark Croydon

The London Borough of Croydon has announced today at MIPIM, a major new deal to open a new Boxpark Marketplace next to East Croydon train station. BDP has been appointed to design the scheme.

Boxpark, which opened the world’s first pop-up mall in Shoreditch, east London in 2011, has teamed up with Croydon Council, Schroder UK Real Estate Fund (SREF) and Stanhope plc to develop the scheme as part of the mixed-use Ruskin Square development.

Boxpark is constructed of stripped and refitted shipping containers and will include 80 units arranged around a covered courtyard space made available for year-round events. 

Gavin Elliott, director of architecture said: “As a designer with a long standing enthusiasm for creating memorable structures using upcycled shipping containers, working with Roger Wade and his team on Boxpark Croydon has been a dream commission. We are all intent on delivering something truly unique and amazing; building on the experience of Boxpark Shoreditch, but taking it to the next level and beyond to create a really vibrant, buzzing place, right in the heart of Croydon.”

In line with its Shoreditch forerunner, Boxpark Croydon will focus on small independent retailers to create a unique shopping and dining experience. This will transform the quality of the retail and leisure offer in Croydon and is expected to draw customers and new businesses from across the region.

Boxpark’s founder and CEO Roger Wade said: “Croydon is one of the last London boroughs to be developed. Stratford, White City and Nine Elms have all seen recent new developments. I want everyone to rethink their view of Croydon. It's the home of Kate Moss, Tracey Emin, and now Boxpark!”

Work on Boxpark Croydon is set to begin immediately with an opening scheduled for summer 2016.