The realms of possibility
Published: 12 May, 2011
When One New Change opened on October 28, it broke barriers in a number of ways. As well as being one of the few retail destinations to open in 2010 and a first for the City of London, it’s also paving the way for the possibilities of public realm with the opening of its roof terrace.
The roof terrace, or viewing platform, is a 2,000-sq ft space open to the public from 6am up until midnight offering excellent views of St Paul’s opposite and across London.
“The location is unique and the views are stunning,” says centre director Robert Goodman. “You can see the Shard, Barbican, Gherkin, Old Bailey and many of London’s church spires including St Mary le Bow.
“We’ve had a lot of great feedback - people often remark that it seems as if you could reach out and touch St Paul’s.”
On some days during the recent warm weather, there have been as many as 1,000 visitors per day to the terrace, even though the roof’s cafe and restaurant, both operated by Greenwich Ink, aren’t yet open. Both are due to be up and running by mid-May, will have outdoor as well as indoor seating and are expected to do 120 covers.
Integral to the design of the building from the start, the roof terrace was the brainchild of architect Jean Nouvel and features a mosaic by Boris Anrep and sculptures saved from the original building on Cheapside.
Two scenic lifts take visitors to the terrace, which can also be accessed directly from the schemes offices via the 6th floor.
Goodman admits that he is conscious of capacity and managing the space in a safe way but he says the scenic lifts have a secondary function in that they help to self-regulate the flow of people to the roof.
Twenty-four hour security is also in place, facilitating the late licences of One New Change’s restaurants and bars, some of which, including Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa, are open until 2am.
According to Goodman, they’ve been inundated with requests from companies wishing to use the roof as an events space, something centre management is keen to develop over time.
“There are so many options,” he says. “From entertainment, marketing activity and even brand launches.”
It is hoped the terrace will draw in local office workers from Monday to Friday and tourists at the weekend, helped along with partnerships with Promote London and local tourism centres, which have been recommending the venue for its views. It also features on a number of tourist websites.
Goodman cites the royal wedding, jubilee and Olympics as peak times to pull in both domestic and international tourists.
“The roof terrace is One New Change’s USP,” explains Goodman. “Where you’ve got public space linked to retail, it works very well and it’s absolutely essential at a time when people not only want shopping but the whole experience.
“Offering great shopping in a fantastic location with great examples of public realm, is all part of the experience.”
