Housing & Development

Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre Site Sees Progress

The long-delayed regeneration project is moving forward, with new plans unveiled for mixed-use retail and housing development.

22 May 2025 at 4:40

By By Southbank Signal Editorial Team

Construction on the long-delayed regeneration of the Elephant & Castle shopping centre site is finally making visible progress. Once a bustling but ageing hub for South Londoners, the centre was closed in 2020 to make way for a modern mixed-use development.

The new design includes over 900 homes, a cinema, restaurants, a university campus extension, and retail space, blending residential, commercial, and academic use into a single integrated development. The project is a partnership between developer Delancey, Southwark Council, and London College of Communication.

Demolition work concluded earlier this year, and foundation-laying has begun in earnest. Cranes now tower above the Elephant junction, with construction teams working in stages to erect the frame of the complex that will eventually reshape the local skyline.

Despite the promise of economic revival, the regeneration has been met with criticism. Campaigners argue that the development has led to the displacement of small businesses, particularly Latin American vendors who relied on the shopping centre’s affordable rents and central location.

To address these concerns, Southwark Council has implemented a relocation support programme and offered preferential leasing terms in nearby units. However, some former tenants say these efforts fall short of preserving the unique cultural identity that once defined the centre.

The first residential blocks are expected to open in 2026, with the full site completed by 2028. While opinions remain divided, many agree the redevelopment marks the end of an era — and the beginning of a new chapter for one of London’s most iconic intersections.