Nova is a ten-year development programme in Victoria, which started in 2007 and is scheduled to open its doors around September 2016. Project developer Land Securities is currently in the process of selecting the restaurants that could occupy the complex’s retail spaces, with particular criteria in mind.
“The price point has to be accessible for all the types of people who are going to be there, and it will be pretty casual. We’re not going for too many white tablecloth operations, because these have access to all the historic buildings around. We’re very much focused on the casual trend that’s been emerging in London for the last three or four years,” said David Atcherley-Symes, the company’s retail leasing director.
Although he mentioned that some “great names” are looking at the space, Atcherley-Symes was unable to reveal any of them, but expects the first deals to be signed in the next three or four months, with more names to be disclosed over the next two years as the mix develops.
As bids are still open to get a space in the coveted building, he pointed to the advantages of having a venue in that central London location. “Victoria rail station handles about 14o million people a year and is one of the busiest train stations in the country. There are obviously a lot of people there, but there are also a lot of new and existing residential developments around Belgravia, as well as new offices. The offices are occupied by really good quality companies, with people who expect the west end experience in their dining and catering.”
Nova forms part of a large-scale redeveloping of Victoria by Land Securities, including the Zig Zag building and the 62 Buckingham Gate complex. Tapas restaurant Iberica was confirmed to have leased a space at Zig Zag in October last year, while 62 Buckingham Gate will feature healthy fast-food chain Leon and catering group Benugo alongside a Curzon cinema.