A Neighborhood Made Through Art: Alex Eagle and 180 the Thames
Alex Eagle, a designer based out of London, and her husband Mark Wadhwa, a property developer and entrepreneur, Have come together to work on a new project; creating a space that has everything a person could want.
Together the two structures, known as 180 Quarter, cover an entire city block, sloping down from the Strand to the 19th-century Temple underground station and spanning a combined 1 million square feet of interior space — ample room for everything one needs to make “life rich and easier,” says Eagle. “I’m always thinking about how one wants to live. … This place encompasses all the pillars — health, food, hanging out — that feel fundamental.” (Farrell, 2025)
Ever since Alex Eagle established her namesake design and fashion shop in London’s Chelsea in 2014, the creative director and T contributing editor has become known for producing cool, culturally sophisticated spaces where people want to spend time.
But in terms of scale, nothing compares to her latest endeavor: the establishment — in partnership with her husband, Mark Wadhwa, a property developer and entrepreneur — of what’s essentially a new central London neighborhood along the north bank of the Thames.
... all-day cafe, wine bar and bakery called Corner Shop... There’s also Eagle’s new boutique — with 7,000 square feet of Japanese ceramics, vintage watches, clothing and furniture, as well as a matcha bar and a newsstand — and Lunette, a fine-dining restaurant... a Japanese-style bathhouse, an indoor swimming pool with views of the Thames, a gym, a Pilates studio and office space for nutritionists and other wellness practitioners
Eagle and Wadhwa strive to create a place where people can enjoy their time. Providing both essential and recreational goods and services. The idea of making something that is not a necessity for people but a space that people want to be in is a hefty goal. It all provides a space with meaning, not allowing it to fall into being a place where people go just because they need to. I feel that it is important for places to be welcoming not only for business but for the happiness of the people interacting with the space. Just because somewhere serves it's purpose that does not mean that it has to lack design.
For my design I want to incorporate Eagles ideals to make spaces that people engage happily in. And while she works in physical spaces, there are also digital spaces in which people spend time. Along with this, as much as it is a tall order, catering to many different kinds of needs is idea that is interesting to pursue.
References
Farrell. A, (September 19, 2025). The Creative Director Who’s Building Her Own Neighborhood: Alex Eagle’s latest real estate project, 180 the Thames, has a market, a restaurant, apartments, a pool and more. The New York Times Style Magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/t-magazine/alex-eagle-180-the-thames-london.html
180 Studios, (n.d). 180 https://www.180studios.com/whats-on
Lottie Davies. (Sept. 19, 2025). The Creative Director Who’s Building Her Own Neighborhood. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/t-magazine/alex-eagle-180-the-thames-london.html
