Hammerson's vision for Croydon revealed (From Kingston Guardian)

Hammerson's vision for Croydon revealed

4:50pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in News By Nick Hitchens

The first picture of Hammerson’s vision for the Whitgift Centre have been released ahead of a strategic planning meeting with Croydon Council.

The Croydon Alliance, comprising retail developer Hammerson, who own Centrale, and Whitgift Centre majority lease holders comprises Royal London Asset Management, IBRC Assurance Company, wish to create a Whitgift Quarter, a 150,000 m sq development.

Whitgift Quarter will incorporate the Whitgift Centre site, Centrale and North End, creating 5,000 jobs.

The existing Central Tower on the Whitgift Centre would become a residential housing block surrounded by a three storey shopping centre.

A 130 bed hotel could also be included in the proposal.

Lawrence Hutchings, Managing Director, Retail, of Hammerson said: “The Croydon Alliance’s plans are designed to make the centre of Croydon great again, restoring its position as a top UK shopping destination, and creating a safe and vibrant town centre where people want to spend their leisure time.

“Our plans demonstrate a holistic vision designed specifically to meet the needs of Croydon, and are designed to integrate with the rest of the town to the benefit of all the traders in the area.

“We have already shown with our plans for Centrale that we are committed to delivering the regeneration of Croydon, and we are hugely excited about working with our best-in-class team such as Urban Splash, Farrells and RTKL.

“This is about more than a shopping centre – this is a bold and deliverable vision for the future of Croydon as a place people want to spend their time, whether for shopping, work or leisure.”