Waterfront homes at former Daily Express printworks
A DERELICT site by the Thames where the Daily Express was once printed is to be transformed into a vibrant new waterfront community.
Work has begun on demolition of the Westferry Printworks in London’s Docklands, near Canary Wharf.
The launch of the venture was watched by Richard Desmond, whose company Northern & Shell owns the site and publishes the Daily Express, and his wife Joy and son Valentine, two.
More than 700 homes will be built on the 15-acre site and lifestyle is at the heart of the scheme by Mace Developments.
There will be waterside walks, two parks, restaurants, bars, shops, sports facilities, a community centre, health care amenities, a cultural hub and a secondary school.
Mr Desmond said: “My company was the first owner, developer and occupier in 1982 in London Docklands and we moved our publishing business and headquarters there.
“This helped our small business then to expand and we have been proud to Daily Express owner Richard Desmond, right, with Mace Developments’ David Grover at the print site be associated with the regeneration of London Docklands for 35 years.
“This connection was reinforced with our acquisition of the Express Newspapers group in 2000, together with its ground-breaking printing operation, which provided hundreds of jobs for Docklands and the surrounding area.
“I am delighted to be implementing our vision for the next generation of Docklands residents with our new neighbourhood in the centre of Docklands, minutes from Canary Wharf.”