(22 July 2025) The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today launched the formal search for a master developer to lead the transformation of Royal Albert Dock – one of East London’s most significant regeneration opportunities.
Within the borough of Newham, the 12-hectare site sits at the heart of the Royal Docks – the Mayor of London’s largest regeneration project. With views towards Canary Wharf, it offers 400,000 sqm of development potential for a new waterside neighbourhood including a wide range of homes, jobs, education, leisure and economic opportunity, with an anticipated GDV of around £3 billion.
Following a period of market engagement, refinement of the original brief to respond to changing market conditions and testing of the procurement strategy to retain focus on deliverability, the formal selection process has now been launched.
The Mayor is seeking a forward-thinking partner to shape and deliver a mixed-use, innovative place. Proposals will capitalise on the site’s dockside setting, rich context of green and blue space, and outstanding road, rail and air transport links. The site benefits from its strategic location next to successful neighbours – notably Excel London, the University of East London and London City Airport – and is underpinned by a strong history of heritage, industry and innovation.
The master developer will build on these foundations – creating a place-led masterplan for a new and enduring piece of city. It will lead on delivery, securing planning, funding and enabling infrastructure, as well as managing direct and partner-led development. Flexibility is central to the process, allowing plans to evolve as market conditions change while still making a lasting social, economic and environmental impact.
Its team will work closely with the Mayor’s Office and Newham to establish a shared vision and delivery strategy for the site. The new development will sit alongside the buildings completed in 2019, acquired by DPK in 2023, who are delivering a new university campus and student accommodation.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Royal Albert Dock has the potential to be truly transformational for the Royal Docks and London.
“As well as new homes and community Royal Albert Dock will support a thriving new hub of entrepreneurship and innovation, playing a major role in the capital’s continuing economic success and growth eastwards.
“Working with Newham Council I am determined to bring the site back into use as part of my work to build a better, more prosperous London for all.”
Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Mayor of Newham, said: “Newham’s Royal Docks has been reimagined to play a pivotal role in London’s growth as a dynamic global city. Through the diversity of our people, who have connections across the world, we are a hotbed of investment, innovation and opportunity. That’s why our plans for Royal Albert Dock are bold and exciting. The site will deliver a vibrant new neighbourhood, delivering the homes and jobs our residents need. As well as new homes people can afford, we’ll be opening up a broad array of jobs and opportunities reflecting the way we now need to live and work to secure a sustainable, inclusive and fairer Newham for present and future generations. Working with the Mayor of London and the GLA, we are setting a new standard in our vision for the Royal Docks as we turbocharge our ambitious plans with purpose and with local people.”
The procurement is being led by the Royal Docks Team (a joint initiative from the Mayor of London and the Mayor of Newham) on behalf of GLA Land and Property (GLAP) as freeholder. Montagu Evans is advising the Royal Docks Team on the procurement.
More detail about the opportunity and a link to the procurement portal can be found here.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Laura Torrance, Holistic – laura@holisticgroup co.uk/+44 (0)7595 276 254
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Royal Albert Dock is located within the wider Royal Docks area and is one of seven significant development sites being brought forward across 175 hectares of public land belonging to the GLA. Approximately 36,000 new homes and 55,000 new jobs are planned across this historic part of East London.[i]
The 2024-2029 Delivery Plan sets out the vision and key delivery priorities for the Royal Docks over the next 5 years. It has been informed by ongoing dialogue with partners and local communities in line with the policies and ambitions of the Mayor of London and Mayor of Newham.
Alongside Royal Albert Dock, other developments being brought forward on land owned by the GLA include: Silvertown, Albert Island, Thameside West, Royal Albert Wharf and Royal Eden Docks. The GLA are working with LB Newham and other developers on various other development projects across the area.
The Royal Docks Investment Prospectus outlines the exceptional scale and opportunity of the Royal Docks with more than £10bn in live investment opportunities and a further £10bn in the pipeline over coming years. The prospectus sets out how the Royal Docks Team is working in partnership with global investors to shape this next phase of growth, positioning the area at the forefront of London's growth agenda. Significant public investment, enhanced infrastructure, strong local leadership, and excellent connectivity are providing a robust foundation for sustained growth and building confidence in the area's ongoing transformation.
[i] https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/planning/implementing-london-plan/londons-opportunity-areas/oa-locations/royal-docks-and-beckton-riverside-opportunity-area
