Developers have submitted plans to build temporary pop-up padel courts, a sauna, and a plunge pool at the O2 Centre in Finchley Road, London, while preparing for a major residential development. The initiative aims to activate the site during the construction phase.
The O2 Centre site in Finchley Road is set for transformation under a three-phase plan by developers Landsec, which includes 1,800 homes, shops, leisure facilities, and workspaces across 14 acres. As reported, fresh proposals are under consideration by Camden Council that could reduce the number of affordable homes, with the full build potentially taking many years.
To make use of the land in the interim, operator Social Sports has applied for temporary permission to install 10 padel courts on a 6,000 square foot parcel where the former Homebase store once stood. This area has already been demolished as part of phase one preparations, along with part of the shopping centre car park. The 'meanwhile' use would last up to five years or until residential development begins.
If approved, the courts would be erected between April and June this year, featuring enclosures around all 10 and an all-weather canopy over four. A clubhouse would include a cafe, sauna, plunge pool, and golf pods, with accessible car parking and cycle parking provided.
Agents for Social Sports, operating as S3 Padel, stated in the application: "This application seeks temporary planning permission to utilise a parcel of land that formerly comprised the Homebase store, which was demolished under the approved O2 Masterplan, for use as a padel court centre. The proposal will serve as a meanwhile use by S3 Padel, operating up to five years or until the residential development proposed on the approved O2 Masterplan Site Phase 1 site comes forward."
The application has Landsec's backing and will not delay any construction. Landsec emphasized their commitment to keeping the shopping centre vibrant, which features a cinema, restaurants, supermarkets, a bookshop, and health club. They plan to introduce a Third Space luxury gym in 2027, replacing the current Virgin Active.
