A walk in The (Olympic) Park

Yesterday we pulled off a bit of a coup! In our capacity as organisers of the Interact London Second group; we gained exclusive access to the top management team of the Olympic Park Legacy Company with an invitation-only seminar delivered by Rosanna Laws the Director of Development. 

The OPLC Real Estate Manager, Ben Murphy, followed up with a dedicated tour of the Park itself.  There were so many interesting facts around the development of this key project for East London; most notably the focus here is on its long term use and the legacy of the site.  It currently houses the accommodation for the vast International press entourage and many of the officials involved in the events  Of course the main stadia - The Olympic Stadium whose legacy is in the balance but looks set to be with West Ham United Football Club standing strong next to the helterskelter of the Orbit designed by artist Anish Kapoor and engineered by Cecil Balmond - semi-completed but already impressive.  The Velodrome which will continue to generate income long after the games and its adjacent BMX park that will bring joy to many young people free of charge. The AquaPark with its impossibly suspended ceiling is an engineering masterpiece.  But in spite of the Park still being a vast building site - it is 85% complete - you can really feel the community of this area taking shape.  Colourful walkways and bridges are designed to pull all elements together; alongside the planned 2,800 homes, including 1,379 affordable ones, there is vast green space and wetland that will not only provide an excellent environment for residents and those using the park but will also encourage flora and fauna that might not have existed in this part of London were it not for the development.  As with the Westfield development next door it can only be hoped that the laudible aspirations for regenerating this area will be realised and that the East of London will be viewed as an essential stop on any visit to the Capital.  We were certainly impressed.  If you'd like to know more about opportunities at the Olympic Park please let us know and we will endeavour to put you in touch with development partners.