Two years after Design District launched itself as a permanent home for the creative industries, it has released statistics on its impact on the sector:

90% of tenants report that they have either grown or maintained the size of their teams
83% cite the desire to be part of a creative community as their motivation for moving to Design District
61% directly attribute an increase in quality of life to the standard of amenities at Design District

Often susceptible to economic volatility, Design District was designed pre-pandemic as a secure option for creative industries. Launched against the backdrop of COVID-19, during which 50% of creative organisations and freelancers lost 100% of their income by the end of March 2020 with only half having reserves to last beyond June 2020[1], the District provided a secure option for many businesses to get back on track. With the dominant workspace model turned on its head, homeworking proved to be a limitation for creatives who rely on workshops, studios and collaborative spaces. Design District’s flexible workspace offering and affordability initiatives threw the industry a lifeline at a time when it needed it most.

A key driver of Design District’s appeal for creative businesses is its progressive blended rent model. Working to a target average of £25 per sq ft – half the London average of £49.64 and almost a third of the Shoreditch average of £65–£75 – Design District’s rental pricing structure pegs rent to commercial success, meaning that more established organisations shoulder a larger rental burden than smaller businesses – effectively subsidising them. This gives smaller enterprises the security of permanent affordable workspace as they grow – a major benefit at a time when creatives are increasingly finding themselves priced out of a growing number of locations.

Design District sits at the heart of Greenwich Peninsula – a fantastic riverside destination filled with food and drink venues, studios and workshops and even a rooftop basketball court. The district is also enveloped by inspiring art from the likes of Damien Hirst and Murugiah as well as the NOW Gallery which has nurtured new artists including Sara Shakeel and Yinka Illori.

Reggie Yates, Writer, Director and Design District member commented:
“The Design District offers an incredible place to create and stay motivated. Being surrounded by like-minded peers in an inspiring and considered environment has helped my process as a writer and director no end. It’s safe to say, I’m a fan.”