Boxpark

File:London - BOXPARK Shoreditch (2).jpg

According to its founder Roger Wade, who started out with the street fashion shop and label Boxfresh,{{cite web |url=http://londoncalling.com/features/boxfresh-to-boxpark-london-calling-meets-pop-up-entrepreneur-roger-wade |title=Boxfresh to Boxpark: London Calling meets Pop-Up Entrepreneur Roger Wade |date=23 October 2012 |first=Tom |last=Hunter |work=London Calling |access-date=7 May 2017 |archive-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402041225/https://www.londoncalling.com/features/boxfresh-to-boxpark-london-calling-meets-pop-up-entrepreneur-roger-wade |url-status=dead }} the idea for a shopping centre made out of shipping containers has its origin in 1999, while he was attending German trade shows with Boxfresh. For each show, he would need to build a mini shop that would then be demolished, and he wondered if he could build a trade show stand in a container that could be reused. He said: "That was the beginning of my fascination, in 1999. Years later a friend was running retail developments, so some time in 2008-09 I wondered 'why not build a whole retail development out of containers?"

The first Boxpark was built in 2011 and was described "the world's first pop up mall". However, by then shipping containers had already been used as pop-up shops, office and retail spaces around the world, for example the portable Puma City shop in US cities,{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=75rfAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT20 |title=UPCYCLE|author= LOT-EK |year=2012|page=20 |isbn=9781105967931 }}{{cite web |url=http://inhabitat.com/prefab-friday-puma-city-shipping-container-store-comes-to-bostons-fan-pier/ |title= Puma City Shipping Container Store Comes to Boston's Fan Pier|author=Yuka Yoneda |work=Inhabitat }} and the Dordoy Bazaar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.{{cite news |url= http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0104/p06s01-wosc.html |title='Made in China' moves into Russia's backyard | date= 4 January 2007 |first= Daniel |last=Sershen |work=Christian Science Monitor }} The company has plans to expand to other countries; however, a retail park also called Boxpark that opened in Dubai is not part of this company.{{cite web |url=https://fashionunited.uk/news/retail/boxpark-takes-a-stand-against-dubai-copycat/2015021915575 |title= Boxpark takes a stand against Dubai 'Copycat'|first=Vivian |last=Hendriksz | date= 19 February 2015|work= Fashion United}}

File:Guardiancoffee-boxpark.jpg

The first temporary shopping centre, backed by Charles Dunstone of Carphone Warehouse, was built at Bethnal Green Road on part of the former Bishopsgate goods yard in Shoreditch.{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4e9c30e0-1b6f-11e1-8b11-00144feabdc0 |title=Dunstone backs mall built of ship containers |date=November 30, 2011 |work=Financial Times}} Boxpark opened in December 2011,{{cite web |url=http://londonist.com/2011/12/in-pictures-pop-up-shopping-mall-boxpark-opens-in-shoreditch |title=In Pictures: Pop-Up Shopping Mall Boxpark Opens In Shoreditch |date=2 December 2011 |work=Londonist }} initially made out of 60 recycled shipping containers over two floors, with 40 in the lower floor, 20 in the upper floor.{{cite web |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/12/london-boxpark-world |title=The world's first pop-up shopping mall |first=Sean |last=Carey |work=The New Statesmen |date=3 December 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.londonlovesbusiness.com/revolutionary-mall-to-open-in-shoreditch/971.article |title="Revolutionary" mall to open in Shoreditch |date=8 November 2011 |first=Rebecca |last=Hobson |work=London Loves Business |access-date=7 May 2017 |archive-date=16 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616125809/http://www.londonlovesbusiness.com/revolutionary-mall-to-open-in-shoreditch/971.article |url-status=dead }} Originally intended to open for five years, the centre is still operating. Boxpark Shoreditch has 19 restaurants and bars and 27 shops.

The Boxpark at Shoreditch was redeveloped in 2017, with the upper deck becoming the focus for street food at the venue.{{cite web |url=http://www.egi.co.uk/news/boxpark-to-open-20-pop-up-food-malls-in-uk-and-expand-overseas/ |title=BoxPark to open 20 pop-up food centres in UK and expand overseas |first= Julia |last=Cahill|date=7 March 2017 |work=EG}} In July 2024, it was announced that it would close down by the end of summer to make way for The Goodsyard development.{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Ed |date=2024-07-18 |title=Boxpark Shoreditch is officially closing this summer |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/news/boxpark-shoreditch-is-officially-closing-this-summer-071824 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Time Out London |language=en-GB}} In response to the announcement, The Night Time Industries Association started a campaign to save the site from closure, arguing that it has launched hundreds of new independent businesses and annually contributes more than £80 million to the local economy.{{Cite web |last=Rigotti |first=Alex |date=2024-07-25 |title=NTIA demands “immediate action" to save Boxpark Shoreditch from closure |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ntia-demands-immediate-action-to-save-boxpark-shoreditch-from-closure-3778143 |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

File:Boxpark Croydon - interior view.jpg

On 20 March 2015, it was announced that a second Boxpark would be built in Croydon to coincide with the regeneration project Croydon Vision 2020. The centre was built with a £3 million loan from the Croydon Council and intended to be a temporary structure that would last for five years, until homes and offices could be developed on the site.{{cite news |url=https://thecroydoncitizen.com/politics-society/interview-with-roger-wade-founder-and-ceo-of-boxpark/ |title=Interview with Roger Wade, founder and CEO of Boxpark |first=Liz |last=Sheppard-Jones |date=16 February 2017 |work=The Croydon Citizen |access-date=24 April 2017 |archive-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922024424/https://thecroydoncitizen.com/politics-society/interview-with-roger-wade-founder-and-ceo-of-boxpark/ |url-status=dead }} The scheme was designed by BDP, and the two-storey structure is constructed out of 96 shipping containers.{{cite web |url=http://www.archdaily.com/799612/boxpark-croydon-bdp |title=Boxpark Croydon / BDP |date=18 November 2016 |work=Arch Daily }} It is in the form of a semi-enclosed market hall with units arranged around it, and provides 24,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space, double that of Shoreditch.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/boxpark-croydon-shoreditch-centres-owner-announces-modern-covent-garden-pop-up-10121856.html |title= Boxpark Croydon: Shoreditch centre's owner announces 'modern Covent Garden' pop-up |first=Josh|last=Pettitt |date= 20 March 2015 |work=The Standard}} The Boxpark in Croydon has a covered seating area, as it was found that trade dropped off during the winter months in Shoreditch when it was exposed to the elements.{{cite news |url=http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/why-boxpark-croydon-has-a-roof-when-boxpark-shoreditch-doesn-t/story-29847126-detail/story.html |title=Why Boxpark Croydon has a roof when Boxpark Shoreditch doesn't |author=aworden |date=27 October 2016 |work=Croydon Advertiser |access-date=1 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031234023/http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/why-boxpark-croydon-has-a-roof-when-boxpark-shoreditch-doesn-t/story-29847126-detail/story.html |archive-date=31 October 2016 |url-status=dead }} Boxpark Croydon has 36 shop units and is focused on dining and drink outlets.{{cite web |url=https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/368714/operator-line-up-for-boxpark-croydon-revealed |title=Operator line-up for Boxpark Croydon revealed |date=4 October 2017 |work=The Caterer }} It opened in October 2016.{{cite web |url=http://croydonbid.com/news/boxpark-croydon-opens-late-october-2016 |title=Boxpark Croydon opens late October 2016 |work=Croydon Business Improvement District }} It also hosts events such as music performances, kickboxing and screenings of films and football matches.{{cite news |url=http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/boxpark-to-run-a-dozen-large-events-as-founder-says-it-needs-to-broaden-its-appeal/story-30256422-detail/story.html |title=Boxpark to run a dozen 'large events' as founder says it needs to 'broaden its appeal' |author=TMackintosh |date=7 April 2017 |work=Croydon Advertiser }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url= http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/15350694.Find_out_what__39_s_on_at_Croydon_Boxpark_this_summer/ |title= Check out what's happening in Croydon this summer as Boxpark reveal their long list of activities |date= 15 June 2017 |work=Croydon Guardian }}{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/jubilant-football-fans-at-boxpark-croydon-react-to-england-goal-against-sweden-a3881926.html |title=Jubilant football fans at Boxpark Croydon react to England goal against Sweden |first=Chloe|last= Chaplain|date= 7 July 2018 |work=Evening Standard}} The resident DJ of the Croydon is DJ Jay Knox.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-02-05 |title=BOXPARK Croydon hosts football fandom experience for Saturday's Crystal Palace match {{!}} SWLondoner |url=https://www.swlondoner.co.uk/news/05022020-crystal-palace-everton-boxpark-croydon |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=South West Londoner |language=en-GB}}

File:Inside Boxpark Wembley Park.jpg

A third Boxpark opened near Wembley Stadium in December 2018.{{cite web |work=Campaign|url= https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/boxpark-open-wembley/1445431 |title=Boxpark to open in Wembley|first=Gurjit |last=Degun |date=September 22, 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/etcetera/outdoors/boxpark-wembley-opens-1-5810575 |title=Boxpark Opens In Wembley |date=7 December 2018 |work=Ham & High }} Boxpark Wembley is the largest one yet, covering a floor area of 50,000 sq ft, with a 2,000-person capacity events space.{{cite news |url=https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/boxpark-wembley-names-restaurants-new-14686064 |title=Boxpark Wembley names some of the restaurants that will be in the new food mall |first=Frederica |last=Miller|date= 21 May 2018|work=Get West London}} Boxpark Wembley has 30 units, and 24 food and drink retail outlets have opened at the venue. As with Boxpark Croydon, the open hall/events space may be used for events such as music performances and screenings.{{cite news |url=https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/entertainment/days-out/boxpark-wembley-opens-1-5810575 |title=Boxpark Opens In Wembley |date=7 December 2018|first=Bridget|last= Galton|work=Brent & Kilburn Times }}{{cite news |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2019/01/spotlight-boxpark-wembley-pop-up-retail-roger-wade/ |title=Spotlight: Boxpark Wembley|first=Ben |last=Stevens|date=17 January 2019 |work=Retail Gazette}} It is regularly used as a fan zone for those attending football matches, concerts and other events held at Wembley.{{cite web |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/news/learn-all-the-moves-to-wannabe-at-a-spice-girls-fan-zone-in-wembley-060719|title=Learn all the moves to 'Wannabe' at a Spice Girls fan zone in Wembley|first= Alexandra |last=Sims|date=7 June 2019|work=Time Out }}{{cite news |url=https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/food-drink-news/24-boxpark-wembley-restaurants-cafs-16018800 |title=The 24 Boxpark Wembley restaurants, cafés and dessert parlours opened so far|first=Qasim |last=Peracha|date= 25 March 2019 |work=My London }}{{cite news |url=https://www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk/sport/football/albion/brighton-fans-hail-hughton-and-bloom-ahead-of-fa-cup-semi-final-1-8880792 |title=Brighton fans hail Hughton and Bloom ahead of FA Cup semi-final|first=Matt|last=Pole |date=6 April 2019 |work=Brighton & Hove Independent }}

The first Boxpark outside London opened in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool on 19 April 2024.{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Rory |date=2024-03-11 |title=Boxpark confirms Liverpool opening date |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/boxpark-confirms-liverpool-opening-date/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=Place North West |language=en-GB}}

• Re:START, a temporary shopping centre in Christchurch, New Zealand.
• Downtown Container Park, is an outdoor shopping mall and entertainment complex in Las Vegas, Nevada, in which the shops and restaurants are housed in repurposed shipping containers
• Shipping container architecture

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Boxpark}}

• [https://www.boxpark.co.uk/ Boxpark]

Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Croydon

Category:Retail buildings in London

Category:Croydon 2020