The River Thames meanders effortlessly through the capital, but it is this curvature from Waterloo Bridge that has always caught the imagination of some of the greatest artists and authors of all-time. It has been admired and recorded in many forms by none other than Charles Dickens, Monet, Whistler and Canaletto. The wonderful panoramic view has only been enhanced through modern times by the addition of the London Eye and the Southbank, complimenting Westminster Bridge and the startling designed Palace of Westminster.

The entrance to the Pier will occupy an original, historic pier entrance, created by architect Joseph Bazalgette, which was used in Victorian times for steam ships. The Savoy Pier will feature 21st century, eco architecture design by Bere:Architects. The design will feature bespoke carpentry, giant triple glazed windows, cast concrete and granite decking, meadow “living” roofs, solar panels and LED lighting by one of the world’s leading lighting designers.

Echoing the relaxed luxury fittings and lines of the sailing world, the pier will feature a dramatic entrance from the 19th century embankment pavement, down a private walkway flanked with spotlights. The illuminated pathway will lead to a pair of 200sqm glass rooms with stunning river views, one of which will be a reception space for private charter clients ready to board one of Woods’ Silver Fleet Yachts.

The walkway then leads to a 130m pontoon, elegantly sheltered by a glass encasement all the way to the furthest tip, where a beautiful 198sqm glass “boathouse” will stand housing the new 15m river taxi, Silver Darling. This breathtakingly designed boathouse will create a new VIP boarding zone for both Woods’ and the Savoy Hotels’ guests.

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EDITORS NOTES

Woods’ Silver Fleet is a family run company comprised of three design-led “river yachts” for private charter – Silver Sturgeon, Silver Darling and the Royal Nore. Thames Watermen since 1866 and with over sixty years experience entertaining all, from presidents to film stars, corporate launches to State Occasions, their vessels have featured on the pages of Tatler, Vanity Fair, Vogue and Elle Decoration. The fleet have recently moved offices to Somerset House and are continuing their long history of innovative Thames vessel design, creating new concepts with designer Marc Newson.

Alan Woods, Chairman and founder of the modern day Woods’ Silver Fleet, also co-founded Thames Clippers in 1999, the Thames’ most successful fast ferry service.

Bere:architects – Founded by Justin Bere in 1994. Bere:architects was the first architectural consultancy in the UK to train a team of architects to become Passivhaus designers and to provide a comprehensive Passivhaus design service for their clients. Their Certified European Passivhaus designers carry out in-house PHPP analysis, thermal bridging analysis, fabric moisture analysis, building performance analysis and overall architectural design and project management. At the same time they remain design-led architects, using Passivhaus techniques to deliver healthy, comfortable buildings that perform efficiently and look beautiful.

Their work encompasses the public and private sectors, including award-winning new build Passivhaus projects, deep Passivhaus or Enerphit retrofits and refurbishments, high specification private houses and apartments, social housing, offices, historic monuments, public space design and transport infrastucture.