Art-Invest Real Estate secures detailed planning approval for Dockside Canada Water’s Plot B 

29.04.2025, London

Art-Invest Real Estate (Art-Invest) announces that on 29 April 2025, Southwark Council resolved to grant permission for its detailed proposals for Dockside Canada Water’s, Plot B.  Approval enables Dockside to bring forward new student accommodation, affordable homes and community space.

Dockside Canada Water is set to bring to central London a unique and exciting proposition; a new urban quarter surrounded by 130 acres of green and blue space that offers new places to work, eat, drink, live and relax fronting the water’s edge. The scheme is the commercial gateway to British Land’s 53-acre new town centre in Canada Water – the most significant regeneration in the city for the last 50 years.

Art-Invest secured outline planning permission for the masterplan in March 2022. This planning application includes detailed plans for the entire Dockside Canada Water masterplan; Plot A and Plot B, but focusses only on the updated proposals for Plot B. The proposals for Plot A remain unchanged from the detailed planning application approved by Southwark Council in September 2023.

Plot B, designed by international architecture practice tp bennett, comprises two residential-led buildings and will bring forward 742 new student rooms, responding to a clear need in the borough and 75 new affordable homes, with a mix of social rents and intermediate tenures. In line with Art-Invest’s initial proposals, the new community space and significant improvements to the surrounding public realm have been retained and will now come forward.

Plot A which incorporates two iconic buildings; One Dockside and Two Dockside will establish itself as the new workplace hub for London. The buildings deliver over 700,000 sq ft  NIA of Grade A, sustainability-led office space that is exceptionally well located on the Rotherhithe Peninsula, next to a Zone 2 transport hub. Moments from the Jubilee Line and London Overground station, it is eight minutes to the City, fifteen minutes to the West  End and only a two minute journey to Canary Wharf. Designed by internationally renowned architects, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group and HWKN Architecture , these landmark buildings will offer occupiers the opportunity to make an impact in a location with authenticity and that prioritises wellness and lifestyle in the workplace; two crucial factors in retaining and attracting top talent.

Integral to Dockside is the transformation of the eastern dock edge. Designed by internationally renowned landscape and garden designer and Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist, Andy Sturgeon, the dock edge will become an important new public focal point for the scheme and the community.

Art-Invest is currently progressing detailed designs of the dock edge to bring forward its redevelopment at the same time as Plot A.

Luka Vukotic, Head of Development, Art-Invest Real Estate UK, commented:

“Canada Water is one of London’s largest redevelopment projects and it is rapidly taking shape. Dockside plays a crucial role in its development, by bringing exceptional workspace, a high quality residential offer and public realm that haswellbeing for local people and the future workforce at its heart. It is fantastic to secure a positive decision from Southwark’s planning committee as it completes our vision for Dockside Canada Water and allows us to focus on delivery.”

Nenad Manasijevic, Principal Director at tp bennett added: “The Dockside Canada Water development will provide essential student and affordable housing in Southwark while transforming the local area through new public spaces and connections. Working closely with Art-Invest, we have taken a resident-led design approach to Plot B, focusing on how future students, new homeowners and existing residents can live together harmoniously to create a thriving new neighbourhood. This meant better pedestrian routes to and from local transport hubs; a new public garden, greater connections and integration with the surrounding area, and an emphasis on passive-sustainable, enduring design.”

About Art-Invest Real Estate

Art-Invest Real Estate (AIRE) is an experienced investor, developer and asset manager operating across key gateway cities in Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. 

Established in 2010 the business operates as a private partnership with the Zech Group and the managing partners as shareholders. The group invests and manages on behalf of its proprietary capital, regulated institutional funds and selected separate accounts and actively pursues a “manage to core” investment strategy across the risk spectrum. 

Sector focus is principally the office, retail, hotel, residential and education. Since 2012, the company has been licensed to operate as a regulated fund manager in accordance with German investment law (KAGB). During this period Art-Invest Real Estate Funds has successfully launched more than 25 regulated funds for a variety of institutional investors. The group has more than EUR 12.5 bn AuM with more than EUR 6bn invested equity for a range of institutional investors as long-term partners. To learn more, please visit www.art-invest.com. 

About Åke Sundvall 

Åke Sundvall is a third-generation family-owned real estate company with operations in Stockholm, Uppsala, and Skåne in southern Sweden. Since 1942, we have played an active role in shaping the urban landscape in the regions where we operate. Our approach is rooted in a deep respect for each location’s unique context, aiming to develop residential buildings that enhance the character of their surroundings and contribute to vibrant, livable communities. 

With the guiding principle Built with Care, our ambition is to create the most appreciated neighborhoods in the cities we serve. We combine long-term thinking with innovation, digitalization, and a strong emphasis on architectural quality and operational efficiency. Our commitment is personal and enduring—from concept to completion. 

Today, Åke Sundvall employs approximately 65 professionals and manages a project portfolio of around 4,000 residential units. 

To learn more, please visit www.akesundvall.se. 

About OBOS 

OBOS is one of Norway and Sweden’s leading housing developers, as well as a member organization with over 600,000 members and a history dating back to 1929. Whether our members prefer city life or long for rural idyll, we strive to offer homes that suit all stages of life. Our range includes everything from villas to modern multi-family houses, in both large cities and smaller towns. 

In 2024, we sold a total of 1,150 homes in Sweden. Our goal is to offer half of the housing supply in our metropolitan regions through the home purchase model OBOS Deläga, to enable more people to buy a home. We are an active part of the community through sponsorship, our program “OBOS gives back,” and the OBOS Jubel fund. By supporting projects and organizations that promote sustainability and community engagement, we strive to make a real difference in society. 

Press contact

Art-Invest Real Estate
Ann-Kathrin Krämer
T +49 221 584759-20
Cadman Communications
Nina Cadman
T 07917416259