Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced his plans for a ‘floating village’ at the Royal Victoria Dock in London, telegraph.co.ukreports.

The scheme will comprise a 15 acre mixed-use development of hotels, office space, leisure facilities and new homes. Already dubbed the ‘Venice of London’, the village will be linked to the ‘mainland’ via a cable car, Crossrail station and the Docklands Light Railway.

The ‘Venice of London’

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While floating villages are unusual in the UK, they already exist – and are popular – in Scandinavia, Germany and Holland. The scheme forms part of Mr Johnson’s wider efforts to transform the Docks into an area that supports new employment and housing – which may encompass sustainable construction.

To become the most sought-after address in the capital

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The area was designated one of London’s first Enterprise Zones, in recognition of its importance to and potential for boosting the UK’s economy. Developers are being sought for the project, with the official procurement process commencing in the summer.

Breathing new life back into London’s waterways

“This site is unique. It has the potential to become one of the most sought-after addresses in the capital while breathing new life back into London’s waterways,” the Mayor told freshbusinessthinking.com.

“But it’s not alone. Right across London, there are incredible investment opportunities that I’m determined to bring to market, creating more homes and jobs for Londoners. My message to the developers…is that London is the best place to invest.”

Author: Elizabeth Smythe    Date Written: 13 March 2013