Farewell Gabriel’ s Wharf

Much sadness on the South Bank as Gabriel’ s Wharf, an area between Blackfriars and Waterloo road bridges, has come to the end of its 38-year existence as an artisan marketplace, a riverside haven of shops and restaurants.

Vibrant

The original 1980s factory-built garage and studio units are believed to have reached the end of their structural life and are being demolished. In their time they helped to revitalise the vibrant area on the southern banks of the Thames.

The area originated as a 19 th century timber yard started by the Gabriel family. One scion subsequently became Lord Mayor of London, another is the musician Peter Gabriel.

Investment

The site owner – the social enterprise Coin Street – is clearing the space to generate investment for local community programmes. In the longer term it is understood there are plans to redevelop the plot further, which may include building a nursing care home.

Gabriel ' s Wharf in 2012