Royal Foundation of St. Katharine

The Royal Foundation of St Katharine has been working with Acorn and Galliard Homes on plans for the future of St Katharine’s Precinct.

This major mixed-use development of the Foundation’s Northern Site in Limehouse, presents a unique opportunity to deliver the Foundation’s core offer and provides a new residential and community hub for this part of Tower Hamlets.

Founded by Queen Matilda in 1147, the Royal Foundation of St Katharine (RFSK) has served as a centre for worship, hospitality and service for over 800 years. It is one of England’s longest running charities. The core of RFSK’s mission is to provide visitors with a centre for retreat, reflection and prayer. The Foundation also provides complementary overnight hospitality and conference facilities, which we are looking to expand.

These plans present a unique opportunity to ensure the Foundation and its offer is fit for the future. Redeveloping the Northern site will allow a new community hub, significantly enhancing what the Foundation can provide to local people.

The detailed proposals for the Northern site include:

- A new community café, along with meeting rooms, flexible workspace and cookery school.

- New space and connections, including a landscaped courtyard for the Foundation and a new public link between Butcher Row and Ratcliffe Lane

- c.95 new homes, with a balanced unit and a proportion of affordable housing

- c.35 hospitality rooms and expanded spiritual retreat facilities