London’s newest riverfront destination will open next summer behind Fulham’s Craven Cottage football stadium with restaurants and cafes, a hotel, spa and members’ club and a new cultural venue overlooking the Thames.
Details were unveiled on Wednesday of the planned openings at Fulham Pier, a promenade that opens up a stretch of the river between Putney and Hammersmith that has never before been accessible to the public.
The seven-storey development in the riverside stand designed by architects Populous is the latest phase of the modernisation of one of the Premier League’s best-loved football grounds, with its striking location on the towpath that has been Fulham’s home since 1896.
Dining concepts on the ground floor Riverside Market due to open next year include Tinie Tempah’s chicken brand Raps, curry house Goila Butter Chicken, Base Face Pizza, a Neapolitan pizza brand created by lifelong Fulham FC fan Tim Thornton, and Fat Pickle, a burger restaurant led by Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen graduate Big Has.
There will be a cultural space called the Orange Box for events such as live podcasts and comedy evenings.
The first floor will have a “destination restaurant and brasserie” while the second storey will be for meetings and events spaces. There will also be a boutique hotel and health spa, and on the top floor a members’ club with a roof terrace.
Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said: “There is no other riverside setting like this in London. The entire destination will fulfil our vision to optimise the expansive views of the riverfront while introducing an iconic promenade, all delivering a waterfront experience across every floor.
“As the first stadium transformation of its kind in Europe, we can’t wait to share the new space with our community and visitors from across London and throughout the world, certainly when Fulham is playing but also every day of every year.
“I am looking forward to seeing the destination come to life within the year ahead with friends, families and people of all ages able to find something to enjoy at Fulham Pier.”
Glen Sutton, director of Fulham Pier, said: “We saw a unique opportunity to utilise our incredible space and riverside location to create a venue for the community.
“With a year-round programme of events, activations and a variety of food and beverage experiences, we are excited to be taking an innovative approach to delivering a new social destination for residents, locals and tourists in west London.
“We’re also pleased to be able to support London-based businesses, with several zero rent opportunities for small enterprises.”
