TEDDINGTON RIVERSIDE: TAKING THE COMMUNITY APPROACH
Integrating new development into the existing built environment and capturing the pulse and history of the area that embraces the local community is not always an easy task.
At Teddington Riverside, the new development by Dartmouth Capital Partners on behalf of Singapore-based City Developments Limited, we are lucky that it is on the site of the former Teddington Studios with its fabulous broadcasting history.
TV Studios
It was the main production centre for Thames Television’s entertainment programming of game shows, children’s programmes, dramas, and comedy.
The golden age for Teddington Studios from 1960 onwards included the hugely successful Avengers series and over the next two decades, many programmes, which were exported around the world were also made at Teddington. Classics included The Morecambe & Wise Show, Man About the House, Benny Hill, Tommy Cooper’s shows, Minder and Bless This House.
Dartmouth recognises the importance of Teddington Riverside’s history to the local community and during 2020 it will be replacing some of the famous actors’ Blue Plaques on the river wall.
Local Artists
But more than just blue plaques, we wanted the local community to feel part of the scheme to create a unique and contemporary space and therefore embraced our interior designer’s proposal to source art from local artists for the show apartment interiors.
The result is that the art and furniture in the show apartments are bespoke and reflect this unique and wonderful location beside the River Thames, making it a perfect location for anyone wishing to buy an apartment.
Interior designer, Henrietta Holroyd and Kara Hook of Henrietta Holroyd Ltd were inspired by Teddington’s village community when designing the interiors for the 3-bedroom and 1-bedroom apartments. Although a new-build development, they wanted to reflect the strong community feel in the interior design schemes. The artists represented are from Teddington and the surrounding area of South-West London and work in a range of styles and materials.
This very much supported Holroyd’s vision to design a timeless and contemporary interior set against the spectacular backdrop of Teddington Lock.
Holroyd says it is important to her to support local business as she runs a boutique creative business herself. Therefore, she has an understanding of the importance of supporting British craftsmen and artists.
Local School Time Capsule Project
In taking a more pro-active approach to involving the local community we asked pupils from nearby Newland House School to create a time capsule of what Teddington meant to them to be buried at Teddington Riverside and to be opened in 50 years’ time.
The pupils included toys, school newspapers, drawings of life in Teddington in 2019, a school blazer and a CD of the school choir among other items to be buried.
The teachers were delighted to be asked to contribute to this very special history project and said that the pupils’ imaginations were piqued by images of the old studios that were demolished in 2016, the history of Teddington and of course the school, and as they learned more about the significance of local landmarks they discussed olden times and the River Thames.
The Future
In the years to come, we will be looking at additional ways in which the Teddington community can benefit from Teddington Riverside. We have already opened up the riverside walk so that the local community can enjoy more of the riverside views over Teddington Lock, and have included extensive landscaping to give this location a greener and more peaceful feel.
Eugenie Ropner, Head of Sales & Marketing
