Plans have been unveiled to transform a deserted coach park in Stratford, East London, into a vibrant cultural neighbourhood featuring art trails, restaurants, green spaces, and performance venues. The site, which served as a coach park during the 2012 Olympics, has remained unused for over a decade.
What the development includes
Under proposals from Hallmark Property Group, more than 20,000 square metres will be redeveloped. The plans include a piazza, green areas, outdoor exhibitions, and over 100 art installations. Two performance venues with capacities ranging from 1,200 to 4,300 will host shows. Numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants will be on site.
A packed 365-day schedule of events and festivals is planned for locals and tourists. Visitor spending is projected to reach around £190 million, and the site is expected to generate approximately 1,500 jobs.
Housing and hotel rooms
The development will also include 2,100 flats and 1,600 hotel rooms. These will be housed in three skyscrapers up to 47 storeys tall. Hallmark Property Group purchased the site in 2025 for around £30 million.
Temporary plans for a food-led market using shipping containers, repurposed buses, and train carriages are proposed for a three-year period while permanent plans are finalised and approved.
Community context
The redevelopment comes after local opposition to the proposed Stratford Sphere, a Las Vegas-style venue. Mayor Sadiq Khan rejected the Sphere in 2023, citing 'an unacceptable negative impact on local residents'.
The new plans complement the £1.1 billion East Bank cultural quarter in Stratford, which includes the V&A East museum and Sadler's Wells East dance theatre. The V&A East features a permanent gallery called 'Why We Make' with over 500 objects. The V&A East Storehouse in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park displays more than 600,000 items from the V&A archives.
Public exhibitions of the plans are being held at The Source, Theatre Square, today. According to Hallmark Property Group, the development aims to create a 'vibrant new destination' for the area.
