Bluewater Shopping Centre

In May 1990, Environment Secretary Michael Heseltine granted planning permission for the centre, encompassing 1.5 million sq ft (139,354.6 m²) of retail and 125,000 sq ft (11,312.9 m²) of leisure facilities.https://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/content/articles/2009/03/13/bluewater_history_feature.shtml In 1994, quarry operator Blue Circle approached Australian mall developer Lendlease to form a partnership. Instead, Lend Lease bought the land and the project from Blue Circle, and under the leadership of its CEO Peter Walichnowski gathered a group of major investors, which included: Prudential, Barclays Mercantile, Hermes (acting for Britel), Lloyds Leasing, and Royal Bank Leasing. Lendlease also formed a pool of minor investors, called the Lend Lease Retail Partnership, with 18 institutions and corporations.

John Lewis was the first major tenant to sign up in February 1995, albeit with major concessions, such as the offer of {{convert|300000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}, one fifth of the entire floor space, on three levels.Benoy drawings https://publicaccess.dartford.gov.uk/online-applications/files/23EDA7090DB9D43520EFDAFC6CDEE094/pdf/88_00336_OUT-CHANGE_OF_USE-287865.pdf That gave Bluewater credibility to sign more names, including the two other anchor stores: House of Fraser followed in June 1996 by Marks & Spencer. 90% of the retail space was committed by March 1998.

Construction, undertaken by Bovis,[http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/1997/09/17/20855/bovis-reputation-is-cornering-the-shopping-market.html Bovis' reputation is cornering the shopping market] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123134132/http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/1997/09/17/20855/bovis-reputation-is-cornering-the-shopping-market.html |date=23 January 2016 }} Contract Journal, 17 September 1997 started on 1 May 1996. At its peak, the site employed 2,500 workers simultaneously. In all, 20,000 people worked {{Nowrap|11.5 million}} hours on the construction of Bluewater. At the planned opening date, 16 March 1999, Bluewater was inaugurated with 99% of the shops open for business. The total cost of construction was around GBP £400 million.Emma Dorreen, editor/project manager; Michael Evamy, writer (1999). Vision to Reality. London: Lend Lease. {{ISBN|0-9537054-0-4}}.

In December 2021 Lendlease sold its 25% shareholding to Landsec.[https://www.retail-week.com/stores/landsec-ups-stake-in-bluewater-as-retail-values-and-rents-stabilise/7041153.article?authent=1 Landsec ups stake in Bluewater as retail values and rents stabilise] Retail Week 22 December 2021

With further expansion and development in the shopping centre industry since Bluewater's opening in 1999, perhaps most prominently the entry of Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City into the market, Bluewater has looked to make changes to its offering to keep the centre up to date and provide new and additional customer experiences. Numerous stores have been refurbished, expanded or relocated in recent years as the centre looks to expand and upgrade its mix of retailers, and there have been some major construction projects, mostly centred on the three leisure/dining 'villages', undertaken or proposed.

In late 2006, Dartford Borough Council granted planning permission for Bluewater to build a two-storey events venue{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6210290.stm|title=BBC news-events venue|date=5 December 2006 |access-date=29 October 2014|archive-date=4 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104002644/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6210290.stm|url-status=live}} of 5200 m², and further extend the south side of the centre. Construction on the extension began in early 2010, and when completed in 2011 the expansion added more restaurants to the Plaza (formerly Water Circus) section, including a Jamie's Italian, Wagamama and Browns. The new Glow events centre opened as part of the extension spans two floors, and has held events such as the BBC's Good Food Show: Spring. However, due to low visitors, Glow was closed in 2016, with the space being converted to extra cinema screens, a second Pizza Express restaurant, Creams Dessert Parlour, Rosa's Thai Cafe and Dinotropolis adventure play area on the Upper Level, and a GraVity Trampoline Park on the Lower Level. The events venue was developed alongside the existing entertainment provision in this area, the Showcase cinema which has been present in this area (initially as a Hoyts multiplex) since the opening of Bluewater.

During 2012, the Wintergarden food court area off Rose Gallery was extensively refurbished. Much of the food court was closed for part of the year to enable the work, with McDonald's notably unavailable at Bluewater throughout the period, though the Pizza Hut, Nando's restaurants to the far side of the area (by the centre entrance), and the Ponti's restaurant on the upper mall, remained open during the works. KFC relocated to Thames Walk to continue to trade during the development. When the Wintergarden works completed in October 2012, McDonald's, KFC and Harry Ramsden's returned to their post, along with several new food outlets, most significantly a new Giraffe restaurant (later occupied by Wingstop) which had been constructed adjacent McDonald's. The previous large 'castle'-style McDonald's was replaced with a simple serving counter.{{cite web|url=http://lunchbusiness.co.uk/bluewater-s-wintergarden-reopens-after-multi-million-pound-revamp|title="Bluewater's Wintergarden reopens after multimillion-pound revamp", LunchBusiness, Oct 2012|access-date=29 October 2014|archive-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030001029/http://lunchbusiness.co.uk/bluewater-s-wintergarden-reopens-after-multi-million-pound-revamp|url-status=live}}

A proposal was put forward in early 2013 to expand the West Village dining and specialist retail area currently sited off the Guildhall. This currently comprises a Waterstones bookshop, a training and recruitment facility, and Costa Coffee shop on the upper mall, and on the lower mall a row of boutique retailers including The Daily Grind, Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop, Gusto & Daisy's Dog Emporium leading out to a suite of restaurants including Carluccio's, PizzaExpress and others. The proposal would see much of the existing infrastructure demolished and replaced with a new larger two-level 'specialist retail' area, similar to 'The Village' at Westfield London, with upmarket retail and restaurant facilities and mall access to both levels. Existing businesses would have to be relocated or removed from the centre to allow the works to go ahead.{{cite web|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/august/6/bluewater.aspx|title="Bluewater in huge expansion bid to create 1,500 jobs", KentOnline|work=Kent Online|access-date=29 October 2014|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222160052/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/august/6/bluewater.aspx|url-status=live}}[http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning_decisions-Bluewater_shopping_centre_extension_report_0.pdf Greater London Assembly planning report on West Village, PDF] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222193131/http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/planning_decisions-Bluewater_shopping_centre_extension_report_0.pdf |date=22 February 2014 }} The proposed redevelopment ultimately did not go ahead, with The Village retaining its extant configuration.

In 2024 it was confirmed that one of the mall's original anchors, House of Fraser, was to close after 25 years in operation. In November 2024 it was announced that Next would be relocated into the vacated space, moving from their existing premises on Thames Walk.Beevers, Angela. [https://www.theretailbulletin.com/fashion/next-to-triple-its-store-footprint-at-bluewater-26-11-2024/ "Next to triple store footprint at Bluewater"], The Retail Bulletin, 2024-11-26

The centre is visited by over 27 million people a year and employs around 7,000 people.{{cite web|url=https://www.gravity-uk.com/franchising/case-studies/bluewater|title=Bluewater|website=gravity-uk.com|year=2022|accessdate=24 March 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/11/landsec-in-talks-to-buy-lendleases-25-stake-in-bluewater-for-200m/|title=Landsec in talks to buy Lendlease's 25% stake in Bluewater for £200m|work=Retail Gazette|date=24 November 2021|accessdate=24 March 2022}}

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{{wide image|Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent, England Crop - April 2009.jpg|1000px|A panoramic view of Bluewater Shopping Centre at dusk}}

File:'Thames Walk', Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford, Kent - geograph.org.uk - 33406.jpg

The principal architect was Eric Kuhne. Other firms involved in the design and branding were Benoy, BDG McColl, RTKO, Henrion Ludlow & Schmidt and Minale Tattersfield.Design Week https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/19-february-1998/bluewater-runs-deep/

The main building is a triangle of three malls: Thames Walk, Guildhall and Rose Gallery, with one anchor store at each corner. Curved and tapered glass sections form the roofing over each mall, providing significant natural lighting.Architects Journal https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/home/bluewater-roofing-europes-largest-shopping-centre/776887.article {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404145743/https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/archive/bluewater-roofing-europes-largest-shopping-centre |date=4 April 2021 }} The roof vents are inspired by Kentish oast houses.{{Cite web|url=https://landsec.com/properties/bluewater-kent|title=Bluewater, Kent|website=Landsec|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=17 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517121512/http://landsec.com/properties/bluewater-kent|url-status=live}}

There are statues of historic trades along the walls above the upper level.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/08/bluewater-thrives-not-alarming-shoppers|title=Bluewater thrives by not alarming shoppers with anything new or strange|last=Hatherley|first=Owen|date=8 August 2012|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=5 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605152442/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/08/bluewater-thrives-not-alarming-shoppers|url-status=live}}

There are over 13,000 free parking spaces including disabled parking, across six car parks. As of 27 May 2022, Bluewater offers 39 Pod Point spaces and 17 Tesla spaces for EV Charging across the site.

The nearest railway station to Bluewater is Greenhithe for Bluewater, 1.5 miles away.{{cite web | url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Greenhithe+for+Bluewater,+Station+Rd,+Greenhithe+DA9+9NQ/Bluewater+Shopping+Centre,+Bluewater+Pkwy,+Dartford,+Greenhithe+DA9+9ST/@51.4450368,0.2650132,15z/ | title=Greenhithe for Bluewater to Bluewater Shopping Centre }} It is served by Southeastern and Thameslink trains to Luton, London Cannon Street, London Charing Cross, London Victoria, Gravesend and Rainham.{{Cite web|url=http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/ldbboard/dep/GNH|title=Live departure boards - From: Greenhithe for Bluewater|website=National Rail Enquiries|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=19 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219174159/http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/ldbboard/dep/GNH|url-status=live}}

Arriva Southern Counties, Go-Ahead London (Fastrack routes), Go Coach, Ensignbus, National Express and London Buses routes serve Bluewater bus station.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/16589615.arriva-announces-bus-changes-in-dartford-greenhithe-and-bluewater/|title=Arriva announces bus changes in Dartford, Greenhithe and Bluewater|last=Taylor|first=Jessica|date=21 August 2018|work=News Shopper|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404015606/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/16589615.arriva-announces-bus-changes-in-dartford-greenhithe-and-bluewater/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ensignbus.com/uploads/1/5/6/5/15657682/_x80_a5_april_2013.pdf|title=X80 Times & Information|date=27 April 2013|website=Ensignbus|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417105221/http://www.ensignbus.com/uploads/1/5/6/5/15657682/_x80_a5_april_2013.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/stop/2400A070060A/bluewater-shopping-centre|title=Bluewater Shopping Centre|website=Transport for London|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218054417/https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/stop/2400A070060A/bluewater-shopping-centre|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=National Express Route 022, Ramsgate to London — National Express Timetables|url=https://timetables.nationalexpress.com/routes/NX/022/Ramsgate-London/I|access-date=2021-04-30|website=timetables.nationalexpress.com}}

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{{commons category|Bluewater Shopping Centre}}

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{{Land Securities}}

{{Shopping centres in Southeast England}}

Category:Shopping centres in Kent

Category:Borough of Dartford

Category:Shopping malls established in 1999

Category:Prudential plc

Category:Lendlease

Category:1999 establishments in England