Shakespeare’s former theatre The Curtain now the scene for Galliard Homes’ new development The Stage
Galliard Homes has launched its latest development venture on the site of William Shakespeare's former theatre The Curtain.
The £750m development of the 2.3 acre site, which is being carried out in a joint venture with Cain Hoy, McCourt, Vanke and The Estate Office Shoreditch, will create a new mixed use space that includes a 37 storey residential tower, comprising 412 apartments and penthouses.
Two offices buildings will provide more than 257,000 "blue chip" commercial space, cafes, restaurants and shops.
The aptly-named Stage development will lie on top of the land where Romeo & Juliet and Henry V were first performed, just off Curtain Road in Shoreditch. It has been designed by Perkins & Will, with interiors by Argent Design.
The development is designed around a 1.28-acre public square that will "showcase the sunken remains of Shakespeare's Tudor theatre", which was discovered in 2011, Galliard said. There will also be a performing arts pavilion, featuring an existing 19th century railway viaduct, on one side of the new square.
The viaduct will be restored with the historic brick arches accommodating 9,000 sqft of new shops and bars fronting the square and the top of the viaduct landscaped into a park with a tea/coffee house overlooking the square.
Construction is expected to begin in April, and is due to complete in the first quarter of 2019.
David Galman, sales director of Galliard Homes, said: “The regeneration of this Shakespearean site will elevate the status of Shoreditch to that of the uber-cool Meatpacking district in downtown New York City. There are lots of links with Manhattan, the Brooklyn based Mast Brothers have opened London’s first bean-to-bar chocolate factory a stone’s throw from The Stage. The Gansevoort Hotel Group, responsible for the celebrated Meatpacking and Park Avenue hotels, are delivering a brand new establishment on Curtain Road, whilst Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is set to open a hotel and restaurant on Willow Street.
"These new establishments alongside The Stage will turn Shoreditch into the “new Notting Hill”, a highly desirable neighbourhood to live, enjoy leisure and work.”
Prices will start from £695,000 and sales will launch on 17 March.