Premium Danish coffee brand Hagen has opened at Bankside Yards, becoming the development’s gateway retail tenant within its restored Victorian railway arches and marking an important step in bringing one of London’s most ambitious mixed-use neighbourhoods to life.

Located within one of 14 historic railway arches beneath the viaduct, Hagen’s new espresso bar is the first opportunity for visitors to experience a part of Bankside Yards that has been inaccessible to the public for more than 150 years. The opening signals the beginning of a long-term vision to transform the arches into a vibrant collection of shops, restaurants, cultural venues and leisure spaces that will connect Bankside and Southwark in entirely new ways.

Hagen, the Danish coffee brand known for its speciality coffee and Scandinavian design, has become the first long-term retailer to join the development. With more than 20 locations across London, the brand has built a loyal following for its premium coffee experience and carefully designed spaces. Now, with its first South Bank location, Hagen is helping establish the character and atmosphere that will define the future retail and leisure offer at Bankside Yards.

Phil Haddleton, Commercial Development Director at Native Land, said:

“Welcoming Hagen as our gateway retail tenant is an exciting moment for Bankside Yards. The railway arches are central to our vision for creating a lively and distinctive neighbourhood, and after 150 years being closed to the public, we wanted the first one to open to be something special. Hagen is exactly the type of operator we want to attract, one that brings exceptional quality and a product we know Londoners and visitors genuinely love.

As more of the arches come into use, they will help establish Bankside Yards as somewhere people choose to spend time and keep coming back to, complementing the homes, workplaces, cultural venues and hotel being created across the development.”

The restoration of the railway arches forms a key part of the wider masterplan. While the arches have long been a defining feature of the local townscape, they have remained largely hidden from public view. Through careful conservation and refurbishment, we are bringing these historic structures back into active use while celebrating their industrial heritage. Once complete, the arches will provide a unique setting for independent operators, cultural programming and community-focused experiences, creating new reasons for people to visit and spend time in the area.

As more of the development is completed and additional arches are brought into use, Bankside Yards will continue to evolve into a destination that blends heritage, culture, hospitality and everyday life. Hagen’s arrival is the first chapter in that story, creating a welcoming place for residents, workers and visitors, while setting the tone for what is to come.

For Native Land, the opening is an important milestone in delivering a neighbourhood that not only restores a historic piece of London’s infrastructure but also creates a new cultural and commercial destination for the South Bank.