The Collection development launches in Knightsbridge, highlights ongoing strength of London

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Feb 16, 2022

Anyone thinking that central London retail is going to be permanently depressed ought to tell Colliers, because the company is marketing a major new retail development in upscale destination Knightsbridge.

Along with real estate specialist Knight Frank, it’s handling The Collection at Knightsbridge Gate on behalf of APML Estate and describing it as “a landmark retail destination and the perfect home for luxury brands”. The space’s name suggests its developers expect plenty of interest from fashion labels.

Importantly, it’s a key vote of confidence in one of central London’s primary shopping districts after two years in which visitor traffic has been devastated by the pandemic. Although footfall in central London remains much lower than it was pre-Covid it has been recovering well in recent periods. And crucially, international visitors who make up a huge percentage of the shoppers in areas such as Knightsbridge (and the West End) are also beginning to return.

The building, which provides one of London’s longest unbroken retail parades, is a brand new modern mixed-use scheme, behind a Grade II listed façade, and includes office and residential accommodation as well as retail space.

There are up to 12 individual retail units that can be flexibly combined, to deliver units totalling 24,000 sq ft across ground-level  and basement floors. That means the spaces can be configured for both smaller boutiques and bigger flagships.

Colliers’ head of Central London Retail, Paul Souber, said it’s a “rare opportunity for retailers” to access the Knightsbridge and position themselves close to major names that act as big draws for consumers such as Harrods, Burberry and Tom Ford.