The 48,000 sq ft Central Cross scheme will create seven new restaurants spread across up to three floors, including the first three in Chinatown with external seating.
Designed as a ‘halo location’ for restaurants in the West End, the development borders Chinatown to the west and Charing Cross Road to the east.
Newport Place will also be pedestrianised to create a large public space when the project completes in late spring.
Shaftesbury is seeking a mix of Chinese and East Asian operators to take units to complement Chinatown’s existing offering.
“Central Cross will provide an opportunity for operators to connect with a young, multi-cultural, foodie audience throughout the day and into the evening, seven days a week,” says Julia Wilkinson, portfolio and group restaurant and strategy executive at Shaftesbury.
“We are already experiencing strong demand from restaurant operators ranging from local independent operators to international concepts, all seeking to create a presence in central London that truly embodies their brand.”
Also opening in the Chinatown area this year is the Bao team’s new Taiwanese restaurant Xu, and Hovarda, a sister site to Turkish restaurant Yosma.
DCL will act as restaurant agent for the scheme.