New uses for Moretown

Thank you for your interest in Moretown. On this page we will provide an update on the changes that have taken place to the Moretown Estate and the challenges that the Estate faces. We believe that changing the use of up to 25% of the existing office buildings to other uses, particularly education use, will enable us to continue the improvements to the Estate for the benefit of local residents and current and future users of the site.

About Moretown

Above: Site location

The offices were constructed in 1990 as Thomas More Square and rebranded as Moretown in 2016. The site is adjacent to The Tower conservation area and two listed buildings to the northern edge. The wall wrapping the western edge of the site is also listed.

There are a couple of trees with Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) on site.

Part of the Estate is defined by Tower Hamlets Council as a Neighbourhood Centre.

There are a number of new developments and planning applications on surrounding properties. The former News International office and printworks has been demolished and residential buildings - with retail and F&B outlets at ground - are under construction at Emery Wharf to the East. There is a planning application submitted - and now with the Government for a decision - for the Chinese embassy to move into the Old Royal Mint.

The Estate faces a number of challenges

The Estate faces a number of challenges as a result of it being a wholly office location. These challenges can be outlined as follows:

  Its location. There is a c15 minute walk to the nearest stations at Tower Hill, Tower Gateway, Wapping, Aldgate, Aldgate East, Wapping and Shadwell.

  A lack of demand. There are a number of vacant floorplates that have proved difficult to re-let and the expectation is that vacancy across the Estate will rise over the next few years.

  Inefficient performance. Only one building of the seven meets the necessary standards for compliance with the most recent regulations. Other buildings hold C and D grades of Energy Performance Certificates.

  An unwelcoming Neighbourhood Centre. There are a number of issues with the layout of Moretown. These are shown below, please use the arrow on the left and right to scroll through the information.

The Moretown Estate has recently seen improvements to the landscape.

  Planting has created a greener environment.

  Clearer signposting makes this it easier to navigate.

  Paving has been improved.

  More places to meet and rest.

We have also made improvements to the activities that take place at ground level.

  Greater accessibility.

  Street food stalls.

  “Pop up” themed events.

  Open-air craft market.

Introducing education to the estate

To deal with the challenges facing the estate, the Moretown team are preparing a planning application that would allow up to 25% of the floorspace to be used for education purposes.

Introducing educational use to the estate will positively change the demographics of those travelling to and working on the estate, bringing the potential for economic and other benefits.

These include the potential for further improvements to Moretown.

To help demonstrate what some of these potential improvements could be, we have given a character to each of the four open areas across the Estate. Our aim is to allow users a journey of discovery whilst ensuring the activation of the Estate as a whole. The map below shows these four character areas.

For each area we have looked at potential improvements that increased use of the site could bring forward.

The Yard

Potential improvements here include:

  Enhanced signage and wayfinding.

  Living green walls.

  Curated temporary use including market stalls.

  Areas to meet and rest within the greenery.

The Square

Potential improvements here include:

  Green walls and large planters.

  Water feature relating to nearby docks.

  Clear signage and wayfinding integrated into the landscape.

The Street

Potential improvements here include:

  Established green infrastructure such as sedum roofs and planters.

  Clearer glazing at low level to promote passive surveillance and greater security.

  Water feature relating to nearby docks.

  More amenities for estate wide use .

The Landing

Potential improvements here include:

  Activated roof terraces where possible.

  Established green infrastructure such as sedum roofs and planters.

  Clearer glazing at low level to promote passive surveillance and greater security.

  Water feature relating to nearby docks.

Here's a view from the landing

Above: View from the landing

Here's a view from Waitrose

Above: View from Waitrose

A variety of new public amenities are possible. They include:

  New meeting spaces.

  New workshops.

  Food and beverage outlets.

  Exhibition spaces.

  Co-working spaces.

Here's a view towards the Neighbourhood Centre

Above: View towards the Neighbourhood Centre

A variety of new public amenities are possible. They include:

  Activated roof terrace with garden and PV array.

  Established green infrastructure such as sedum roofs and green walls.

  Clearer glazing at low level to promote passive surveillance and greater security.

  Water feature relating to nearby docks.

Conclusion

To conclude, we hope that you are excited by the potential of new uses for parts of Moretown. We will require a planning permission from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to allow the change of use for part of Moretown to be used for educational use and we intend to make a planning application in early 2025.

The modern estate will retain office use and blends in other uses to create the vibrant character that is desired and needed for social inclusion.

Moretown is changing!