Outernet London#Spaces and venues
{{Short description|Mixed use development in London}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{update|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox property development
| name = Outernet London
| logo =
| image = The Outernet facade.jpg
| location = adjacent to Crossrail Tottenham Court Road/Charing Cross Road southern exit
| opening_date = 2022
| developer = Consolidated Developments
| operator = Outernet London
| website = http://www.outernet.com
}}
Outernet London is a mixed-use development focused on the arts, entertainment and culture opened in 2022 in the West End of London. In an article in The Times newspaper in 2023, it was claimed to be "London's most visited tourist attraction".{{Cite web |title=outernet-now-londons-most-visited-tourist-attraction-77rwqqzv3 |website=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/article/outernet-now-londons-most-visited-tourist-attraction-77rwqqzv3}} It is the largest digital exhibition space in Europe{{Cite web |last=Baron |first=Katie |title=Inside The Outernet: How The Billion Pound Concept Plans To Make Its Mark |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebaron/2022/11/01/inside-the-outernet-how-the-billion-pound-concept-plans-to-make-its-mark/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Forbes |language=en}} with the "world's largest LED screen deployment".{{Cite web |date=2019-11-18 |title=Outernet signs deal for 'world's largest' LED screen deployment |url=https://www.cityam.com/outernet-signs-deal-for-worlds-largest-led-screen-deployment/ |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=CityAM |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2019-11-18 |title=Outernet London to feature 'largest LED screens in the world' |url=https://www.prolificlondon.co.uk/marketing-tech-news/marketing-services-news/2019/11/outernet-london-feature-largest-led-screens |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=Prolific London |language=en}} It is located adjacent to the eastern exit of the new Elizabeth line Tottenham Court Road Underground station, on the southern side of the public square, and it extends to Denmark Street, known as "Tin Pan Alley", with St Giles High Street to the east and Charing Cross Road to the west.
Spaces and venues
The development contains:
- The Now Building – featuring four-storey-high video screens{{Cite web |title=Outernet London |url=https://www.outernetglobal.com/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=www.outernetglobal.com |language=en}}
- Now Trending – a space for immersive content or sampling{{Cite web |title=Outernet London |url=https://www.outernetglobal.com/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=www.outernetglobal.com |language=en}}
- Now Arcade – an LED tunnel {{Cite web |title=Outernet London |url=https://www.outernetglobal.com/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=www.outernetglobal.com |language=en}}
- Here at Outernet – an underground 2,000-capacity music venue{{Cite web |title=HERE at Outernet – The Future of Live Entertainment is HERE |url=https://hereldn.com/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |language=en-US}}
- The Lower Third – a 250-capacity music venue{{Cite web |title=THE LOWER THIRD |url=https://thelowerthird.co.uk/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=THE LOWER THIRD |language=en-US}}
- Chateau Denmark – a hotel{{Cite web |title=Chateau Denmark - Rooms & Apartments in London - Chateau Denmark |url=https://www.chateaudenmark.com/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=www.chateaudenmark.com |language=en}}
as well as broadcasting and media facilities, bars and restaurants and pop up spaces.{{Cite web |date=2019-02-21 |title=Soho is getting a new 2,000-capacity music venue |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/outernet-london-music-venue-soho-tottenham-court-road-denmark-a4072646.html |access-date=2019-02-24 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}
Public spaces will reportedly feature a public arts programme and advertising campaigns using virtual reality,{{Cite web |title=Ridley Scott Creative Group, Outernet Team On Development/Production Platform For Immersive Content |url=https://www.shootonline.com/news/ridley-scott-creative-group-outernet-team-developmentproduction-platform-immersive-content |access-date=2020-05-20 |website=SHOOTonline |language=en}} augmented reality,{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.inavateonthenet.net/news/article/ridley-scott-creative-group-announces-uk-funding-process-for-av-talent |access-date=2020-05-20 |website=www.inavateonthenet.net}} and artificial intelligence.{{Cite web |last=Warrington |first=James |date=2019-05-13 |title=Outernet teams up with Technicolor for new London media landmark |url=http://www.cityam.com/277547/outernet-teams-up-technicolor-create-new-london-media |access-date=2019-05-22 |website=www.cityam.com |language=en}} News reports have indicated that entertainment will be created by Technicolor{{Cite web |date=2019-05-13 |title=Outernet teams up with Technicolor to create new London media landmark |url=https://www.cityam.com/outernet-teams-up-technicolor-create-new-london-media/ |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=CityAM |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Outernet Global Partners With Technicolor for the Future of Immersive Entertainment |url=http://www.technicolor.com/news/outernet-global-partners-technicolor-future-immersive-entertainment |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=www.technicolor.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2019-05-14 |title=Outernet Global Worldwide Co-production and Innovation Partnership with Technicolor Inc Paves Way for Future of Immersive Entertainment |url=https://martechseries.com/content/interactive-content/outernet-global-worldwide-co-production-innovation-partnership-technicolor-inc-paves-way-future-immersive-entertainment/ |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=MarTech Series |language=en-US}} and Sir Ridley's Scott's the Ridley Scott Creative Group.{{Cite news |last=Howard |first=Tom |title=Sir Ridley Scott's big screen pitch is high and mighty |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/article/sir-ridley-scotts-big-screen-pitch-is-high-and-mighty-wm9hm2d89 |access-date=2020-05-19 |issn=0140-0460}}{{Cite web |title=Ridley Scott Creative Group and Outernet Global announce Tomorrow Now |url=https://www.shots.net/news/view/ridley-scott-creative-group-and-outernet-global-announce-tomorrow-now |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=shots |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-02-20 |title=London media hub Outernet signs video production deal with Ridley Scott |url=https://www.cityam.com/london-media-hub-outernet-signs-video-production-deal-with-ridley-scott/ |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=CityAM |language=en-GB}}
There are also residential apartments,{{Cite web |title=Discover the Outernet London Hub |url=https://www.outernetglobal.com/discover/ |access-date=2019-02-24 |website=Outernet London |language=en}} office space{{Cite web |title=Offices to rent in West end |url=http://www.monmouthdean.com/properties/st-giles-circus-wc2 |access-date=2019-02-24 |website=www.monmouthdean.com}} and 20,000 sq ft of retail space.{{Cite web |last=Szajna-Hopgood |first=Ava |title=More change in London's West End as Outernet plans take hold - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2019/11/more-change-in-londons-west-end-as-outernet-plans-take-hold/ |access-date=2020-05-20 |language=en-GB}}
Planning and construction
Construction followed more than a decade of planning.{{Cite web|title=Outernet: Is London's new media hub the future of urban entertainment?|url=https://www.cityam.com/outernet-is-londons-new-media-complex-the-future-of-urban-entertainment/|date=2020-02-03|website=CityAM|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-19}} The main construction contractor for the project was Skanska{{Cite web |title=St Giles Circus Development |url=https://www.skanska.co.uk/expertise/projects/211766/St-Giles-Circus-Development |access-date=2019-02-24 |website=www.skanska.co.uk |language=en-GB}} and the developer is Consolidated Developments.{{Cite web |title=Skanska signs £142 million contract to build St Giles Circus development |url=https://www.skanska.co.uk/about-skanska/media/press-releases/207607/Skanska-signs-142-million-contract-to-build-St-Giles-Circus-development |access-date=2019-02-24 |website=www.skanska.co.uk |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2016-03-22 |title=New grassroots music venue for Denmark Street |url=http://www.orms.co.uk/new-grassroots-music-venue-for-denmark-street/ |access-date=2019-02-24 |website=Orms}} To protect against vibration from the Elizabeth and Northern line trains, special construction methods were used.{{Cite web|title=Box in a box to avoid Crossrail vibrations|url=https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/box-in-a-box-to-avoid-crossrail-vibrations-32420/|website=www.ianvisits.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2022-11-27}}
The area immediately surrounding Outernet was also recently under development from Crossrail and other projects such as the new @sohoplace theatre which both also opened in 2022. The Oxford Street shopping area has therefore undergone significant renewal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.propertyweek.com/insight/how-oxford-street-lost-its-allure/5102461.article|title=How Oxford Street lost its allure|last=Williams|first=Richard|date=2019-04-25|website=Property Week|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}}{{Cite news|last=Fraser|first=Isabelle|date=2019-11-13|title=Could this cube covered in high definition screens help save the high street?|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/11/13/could-cube-covered-high-definition-screens-help-save-high-street/|access-date=2020-05-19|issn=0307-1235}}
Reaction and comment
The redevelopment has been welcomed by London's Night Czar Amy Lame,{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/outernet-london-new-2000-capacity-music-venue-to-open-in-soho/ar-BBTTiiN|title=Outernet London: New 2,000-capacity music venue to open in Soho|website=www.msn.com|access-date=2019-05-22}} but has also been controversial{{Cite news|last=Burrows|first=Marc|date=2015-01-20|title=London's music scene rocked by the death of Denmark Street|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/20/london-music-scene-denmark-street-tin-pan-alley|access-date=2020-05-20|issn=0261-3077}} and criticised with many commentators lamenting{{Cite news|last=Harris|first=John|date=2015-02-06|title=A lament for the death of bohemian London {{!}} John Harris|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/06/death-bohemian-london-12-bar-club-squatters|access-date=2020-05-20|issn=0261-3077}} the decline of live music in London {{Cite web|title=London's Culture Death: What the City's Best Music Venues Look Like Now|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/londons-culture-death-what-the-citys-best-music-venues-look-like-now/|last=Bethell|first=Emma Garland and Chris|date=2016-09-29|website=Vice|language=en|access-date=2020-05-20}} and criticising the redevelopment plans, in particular their impact on Denmark Street.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2016/dec/20/the-future-of-denmark-street-rebirth-or-dystopia|title=The future of Denmark Street: rebirth opportunity or dystopian hell?|last=Hill|first=Dave|date=2016-12-20|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-05-22|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/denmark-streets-not-dead-yet-10008000.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/denmark-streets-not-dead-yet-10008000.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Denmark Street's not dead yet|date=2015-01-28|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://louderthanwar.com/plans-announced-tottenham-court-rd-development-doesnt-look-good/|title=Plans announced for Tottenham Court Rd development - and it doesn't look good|date=2017-07-24|website=Louder Than War|access-date=2019-05-22}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-07 |title=The day the music died? Welcome to Denmark Street and Tottenham Court Road's new 'digitally enabled streetscape' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/aug/07/outernet-london-now-building-review-denmark-street-tottenham-court-road-redevelopment-soho |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}
Some commentators have criticised the architecture,{{Cite web |date=2022-10-28 |title='Why not just go the full Vegas?' The crass, ad-laden reinvention of central London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/oct/28/vegas-outernet-crass-ad-laden-reinvention-central-london |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} but others believe it creates a space for music that reflects the current internet age.{{Cite web |last=ianVisits |date=2022-11-09 |title=The transformation of Denmark Street and the Outernet |url=https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the-transformation-of-denmark-street-and-the-outernet-58670/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=ianVisits |language=en-GB}} Outernet London have said they will preserve the area's musical legacy and support both music shops and live music.{{Cite web|title=Outernet London venue bids to be 'beacon' for recovering live scene|url=https://www.musicweek.com/live/read/outernet-london-venue-bids-to-be-beacon-for-recovering-live-scene/079864|website=www.musicweek.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-25}} The redeveloped Denmark Street features busking points and a pro-bono recording studio in partnership with the BPI, although this has not yet come to fruition.{{Cite web|title=Could Tin Pan Alley's slick revamp be demo version for global cities?|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/could-tin-pan-alley-s-slick-revamp-be-demo-version-for-global-cities-a4334886.html|date=2020-01-15|website=Evening Standard|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}} Denmark Street appears largely unchanged with more music shops than ever and a new indie music venue called The Lower Third located on the site of the old 12 Bar Club.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.outernetglobal.com}}
{{Nightclubs in London}}
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Category:Redevelopment projects in London
Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Camden