Boxpark is to develop a new shopping mall, Boxpark Marketplace, using 80 refurbished shipping containers in Croydon.
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 to bring forward a new Boxpark at Ruskin Square, Croydon.
Work on Boxpark Croydon is set to begin immediately with an opening scheduled for summer 2016.
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 South London, Surrey and Sussex.
Offering a click and collect service, Boxpark Marketplace will allow customers to physically shop for products in stores, as well as purchase and share items online and on their mobile.
Work is already underway at Ruskin Square, SREF and Stanhope’s £500m, two million sq ft mixed-use scheme, with Places For People appointed to build and manage the construction of the first residential phase of 161 new homes, due to be completed in 2016. In total, Ruskin Square is set to create up to 1.25 million sq ft of office accommodation, 625 new homes and more than 100,000 sq ft of retail, cafe and restaurant space.
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 re-think their view of Croydon. It's the home of Kate Moss, Tracey Emin, and now Boxpark!'