London’s South Bank claims title as the most filmed location in Europe

The South Bank, one of London’s most popular tourist destinations, has been named as Europe’s most filmed location.

Globally, the South Bank is ranked No.11 above Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and California’s Hollywood Boulevard.

Home the London Eye, Tate Modern and Globe Theatre, the South Bank has featured in over 72 films since 2002, including the recent James Bond’s Spectre.

The area’s recent regeneration, which includes a new five-star hotel, restaurants and the refurbishment of the Southbank Centre, has seen it’s popularity grow with over 22 million visitors annually.

Set back from the London Eye, surrounding the Shell tower, the 5.25-acre Southbank Place development will further add to the area’s appeal.

Southbank Place, which is a joint project between Qatari Diar and Canary Wharf Group, has now sold nearly 90% of its apartments, reaching a total sales value of £600m.

Brian De’ath, director of residential sales at Canary Wharf Group, said: “Southbank Place is one of if not the best located residential development in central London.

“Positioned on a prominent stretch of the South Bank overlooking the London Eye, County Hall and Houses of Parliament the project will be the centrepiece of the London skyline for many years to come.”

“We have been conscious of the location and the prominence Southbank Place will have on the London skyline from the outset. We wanted this project to be iconic and instantly recognisable, so enlisting some of the best architects in the world was key to achieving the best possible design.”

Brian added: “Local events at the nearby Southbank Centre and Royal Festival Hall highlight the increasing popularity of the area and help to increase awareness of the South Bank as a destination for buyers.

“This, supported by the new quality residential, retail and commercial additions at Southbank Place, will help increase the popularity of the area, cementing it as one of London’s foremost hubs for culture and commerce”.

Southbank Place has been designed to ensure the Shell Centre tower remains the centrepiece of the new site, with the development in total providing over 800 new homes, 48,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants and bars, as well as 530,000 sq ft of office space, when complete in 2019.

Set at the forefront of the development is Belvedere Gardens, which provides panoramic views of the River Thames and across central London.

With refined interiors designed by Goddard Littlefair and architecture by GRID Architects, the adjoining 10 and 20 storey buildings comprise 97 one, two and three- bedroom apartments, a three-bedroom duplex, as well as two penthouses.

Richard Oakes, sales and marketing director, Europe, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, commented: “Southbank Place offers an exceptional lifestyle in a location which, ten years ago, most would not have considered as a destination to live, work and visit. London’s South Bank is now a thriving community and Southbank Place sits at its heart.”

The research was carried out by financial services comparison firm GoCompare.