BUSINESSES BACK ARTIST’S VISION FOR
ELEPHANT & CASTLE REGENERATION
- Reuben Powell’s ‘Hotel Elephant’ exhibition takes place at The Morley Gallery -

THIS WEEK is the official launch of a new exhibition by artist, Reuben Powell, to capture the past, present and future development of Elephant & Castle. ‘Hotel Elephant’ is the first chapter in Reuben’s plan to produce a permanent archive of one of the largest regeneration schemes of its kind in Europe.

The exhibition is being supported by developers, Lend Lease, First Base and Oakmayne, the team responsible for the £1.5bn regeneration of the area. The show presents a range of large-scale drawings using graphite and oil paint on paper, covering a number of key sites in Elephant & Castle including the demolition of the Old London Park Hotel which will make way for a 44-storey mixed-use residential scheme.

Selected by Southwark Council in July 2007, the consortium of Lend Lease, First Base and Oakmayne are the development partner for the capital’s largest ever development by a single borough, covering 170 acres. Plans for the area include more than 6,000 new homes, leisure facilities, two major public parks, a cinema, civic square and a new pool, as well as improved public transport.

Speaking on behalf of the development team of Lend Lease, First Base and Oakmaye, Lend Lease Chairman, Nigel Hugill, commented, “Our role as Southwark Council’s development partner is to help transform Elephant and Castle into a thriving London location, so we are keen to support and help foster the creative community that exists in the area as it has an important role to play both in enabling and recording change. Reuben has a unique style and his project is a good example of how art can meaningfully capture the area’s changing face for future generations to enjoy. We hope that the local community follow his work with as much interest as we do.”

Reuben Powell, commented, “As an artist and a long term resident of Elephant & Castle, I feel I am in a unique position to be able to capture this historic project. I have a huge affection for this much maligned part of London and, combined with my understanding of the area, I hope I am able to produce work that is both a great representation of the transformation and a reminder of times past for local residents. It’s great to see business such as Lend Lease, First Base and Oakmayne, who have such a huge role to play in the development of the area, taking an active interest and supporting creative projects of this kind.”

The exhibition continues until 7th February at the Morley Gallery, Westminster Bridge Road. For further information, please visit www.reubenpowell.co.uk

- ENDS -

For further information please contact:
Jess Gooch / David Lucas
Tel: 020 7908 6447 / 020 7908 6422                                                
Email: jgooch@lexispr.com / dlucas@lexispr.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Use of Images
© Reuben Powell 2008 to be printed adjacent or close to any reproduction of work.

Lend Lease

Founded in Australia in the 1950's and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, Lend Lease is a leading real estate specialist, which creates, enhances and manages real estate assets around the world. The Group's activities are primarily focused in the regions of Asia Pacific, Europe and the US, and cover 40 countries on six continents.

In the UK its business is focused primarily on the delivery of large scale, retail led, mixed use schemes which lead to the regeneration of town centre and major urban sites.

Lend Lease provides cohesive in-house solutions for mixed-use developments, from planning and consultation, to development, funding, construction and asset management. In addition, through First Base (a joint venture with Elliott Lipton and Stanhope plc) and Crosby Lend Lease, the group’s residential development business, it can deliver affordable and private homes as part of integrated retail, commercial and residential developments.

The Group also provides international project and construction management services through Bovis Lend Lease.

First Base Limited
Transforming Urban Spaces and building communities.

First Base is the urban regeneration developer that creates stylish homes in great urban spaces.

• It transforms the way that properties are built - using best practice modern construction methods that keep costs low yet quality high, embracing sustainability and ensuring value for money.
• It transforms the way that communities are formed - with a mix of tenures, a range of homes, a commitment to high quality management and services that make friends of neighbours.
• And it transforms the way that style meets function - with attractive designs, inside and out, that do more than simply look good.

Designed by renowned architects, built by skilled craftspeople, managed by experts, First Base homes are quality, sustainable and affordable properties for purchase or rental.

First Base is currently involved in a range of projects that will deliver mixed-tenure housing in London and the South East. These include:

• London’s first major carbon neutral scheme on the site of the former Greenwich District Hospital
• Stratford City Olympic Village, as part of the Lend Lease consortium
•  the regeneration of a site in Kings Cross to provide affordable accommodation to over 900 students
• a number of schemes under English Partnerships’ London Wide Initiative including Adelaide Wharf in Shoreditch and two sites in regeneration hot spot, Elephant and Castle

The company was included in the RIBA ‘Top 50 Clients’ survey for its innovative approach to quality design, using renowned architects including, Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, AHMM and Fletcher Priest for a range of projects across the capital.

First Base is also a founding member of the UK Green Building Council. The organisation, launched in the Spring of 2007, aims to provide leadership and cohesion to the UK Green building movement, provide a single, powerful pan-industry voice to Government, facilitate knowledge sharing and spread best practice and raise the international standing of UK industry.

For further information please visit www.firstbase.com

OAKMAYNE

Oakmayne was formed in 1993 and initially operated through a number of strategic joint venture developments. It is now an established part of the London property market.

Oakmayne has completed over 40 development projects in Central London creating over 1,000 residential units, a 150-room hotel and 100,000 sq ft of commercial space.

Oakmayne is at the forefront of modern property development with a keen eye on current trends, a flexibility to move quickly and an ability to take a long-term view of growth and regeneration in all levels of the market place.

Over the last 10 years, Oakmayne has carried out over 40 successful projects, from 14 flat blocks to the recent 200 unit development in the Elephant & Castle.

In July 2007, Southwark Council announced that the Lend Lease consortium which included Oakmayne had been awarded the master developer role in the regeneration of the Elephant & Castle.

And at the very top end of the market, Oakmayne Bespoke is now firmly established through the success of Embassy Court, The Collection and its current Cornwall Terrace project.