Bankside property: investment and culture flourishing

The world famous contemporary art space announced that funds have been raised from anonymous donors to complete two important projects. The Bankside Power station oil tanks are to open next summer as a state of the art cultural space, to host a stunning new program of exhibitions, installations and performances. Other developments are also due to coincide with the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Bankside is already renowned for the current incarnation of the Tate Modern, hosting many of the world’s most important contemporary artists. Recent exhibitions have included the iconic ‘Sunflower Seeds’ installation from Chinese artist Ai Wei. He was nominated this year as the worlds most powerful person in art today by the influential magazine, ‘Art Review’.

For those looking for property in Bankside, the extension should provide just one more reason to move to what is already acknowledged as one of the worlds foremost cultural quarters. As well as the Tate Modern, Bankside is home to the South Bank Centre, Bankside Gallery, Gallery@oxo, London Glassblowing and Glass Art Gallery, Royal Watercolour Society, and Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. There are no less than eleven major museums, including the national Fashion and Textile and Design Museums. Every winter, Bankside hosts the annual two month long Merge Festival at various local venues. It showcases the work of artists, performers and musicians, including opening up historic local buildings as artist’s spaces.

“People chose Bankside property to be part of the sublime cultural scene available all year round. The international reputation of the area means the world’s best performers, artists and musicians are welcomed by a very cosmopolitan crowd here. Bankside property also gives you state of the art lifestyle options. There are warehouse developments, penthouse apartments, beautifully converted period buildings, homes with private terraces, balconies, parking and gyms. You can find luxurious new builds, river views, period buildings, the area has a genuinely high standard of property that complements its world class amenities” said Bankside estate agents Stirling Ackroyd.

The 2012 Olympics remain an important reference point for would be investors, driving local investment and stimulating the local market. An estimated £4 million was approved in March this year to upgrade local riverside walkways ready for the Games. The Thames Clipper riverboat public transport service announced this month that sponsorship to extend its routes has been approved by European accountancy giant KMPG. Blackfriars Bridge iconic steel railway bridge is currently being renovated ready for completion by January 2012. Blackfriars is also getting a remodeled station due to open next year, with current work focusing on remodelling the roads around it in time for the Olympics. The Shakespeare’s Globe theatre is also securing the major investment needed for the creation of an indoor Jacobean theatre on its existing site, to open in 2013.