Reading: Architects design superstore for Sainsbury's
The Reading office of national architects The Harris Partnership (THP) has delivered a major a new store development for Sainsbury’s in the London Borough of Sutton.
Designed by THP Reading for LXB Retail Properties plc, the 12,221 sq m superstore anchors a £50 million retail and residential redevelopment on the Old Gas Works site on Crown Road in Sutton town centre.
The new store features a two-storey glass atrium main entrance which serves as the key focus of a large public square designed by THP’s Reading-based landscape architecture team, Vector Design Concepts, with water features including reflective pool and water wall with shops and restaurants lining the square to create a high quality public realm for day and night users.
Planning was secured by The Harris Partnership for the six-acre site in 2014, heralding the demolition of existing buildings and redundant gas towers, which had long been viewed as a local eyesore.
Phase 2 planning was also secured for associated residential and commercial development including 181 one and two and three bed apartments and five townhouses which will introduce much needed modern apartment accommodation to Central Sutton when completed.
The scheme plays a key role in local government regeneration plans for the town which has been identified as one of the 11 metropolitan centres in the Mayor’s London Plan.
