Ransome's Wharf

Manhire Associates have been working on proposals for the 1.6 acre site since 2007. The site is situated in Battersea’s creative quarter and is the last section of the Thames Footpath in SW11 to be re-developed.

The Award winning development designed by MSMR enhances a 2010 consented scheme. MSMR’s exceptional residential led, mixed-use design received planning permission in June 2015. Six residential buildings up to 10 storeys  are arranged around a new vibrant piazza over a basement car park with outstanding river views across the historic dock.    

The existing masonry warehouse buildings are built directly over the existing mass masonry and concrete dock walls. The dock is still functioning and the inlet is protected from the Thames by working dock gates. The constraints imposed by the existing dock construction, re-instating the Thames footpath as well as requirements for ‘future-proofing’ the development for rising flood defense levels were all challenges that were carefully considered in developing proposals to create a new vibrant riverside settings.

As well as developing designs for the new buildings, Manhire Associates undertook a series of studies and surveys looking at the condition of the existing dock wall construction, the adequacy of the flood defenses as well as the wider drainage network  together with the existing outfalls. A breach analysis was undertaken as well an appraisal of the flood defenses. The water levels are tidal and proposals were developed to future-proof the flood defenses and to enhance views with laminated glass flood barriers cut into the brick dock wall. Sections of the new footpath are also ‘built into’ the dock wall to cantilever over the water.

A Geo-Environmental appraisal was also undertaken to inform both the design and construction methodology. The site slopes and a key consideration was the stability and load carrying capacity of the dock wall construction after the demolition of the existing buildings.

In 2015, MSMR’s proposals won an award for best Mixed-use Architecture at the UK Property Awards.