Silicon Island: The Rise Of Creative Tech In London's Docklands

UK office developer Trilogy Property and LaSalle Investment Management are refurbishing and repositioning an urban campus in London’s Docklands designed to appeal to the next generation of creatives and tech business. In short, they want to build the Silicon Island. 

Recognizing that the price of real estate in central London is ludicrous and is pushing out promising young entrepreneurs, Republic at East India is creating 600k SF of “truly affordable” workspace, with a focus on the core values of creativity, connectivity and affordability. Rents will be about half the price of Shoreditch and just one-third of the West End.

The area is already attracting young startups, particularly fintech firms. Level 39 in Canary Wharf is Europe’s largest technology accelerator space for finance, retail and cybersecurity and it is producing some real successes. Revolut, a global money app based at Level 39, raised £7M in its Series A round. And in 10 months, the company has amassed over 200,000 users.

The affordable floor space and a community founded on creativity and exchanging is at the heart of Republic at East India, which is being designed by Studio RHE. The company plans to also embrace well-being and sustainability.

Landscaping will replace the streets of the drab and soulless 1990s development, creating open natural spaces.

Trilogy Property and LaSalle Investment Management have appointed Allsop and CBRE as office agents, and CF Commercial and CBRE as retail agents.