An empty warehouse and office block at the Royal Albert Dock in Beckton, London, is to premiere a new production from the English National Opera (ENO).

Newham Council has approved the organisation's plans to debut The Duchess of Malfi at the former Ivax Pharmaceuticals buildings, which have remained vacant for three years. Forming part of the annual Create 10 arts festival spanning the London's five 2012 Olympic host boroughs, the ENO will stage 13 performances of its new production from 13 July.

Newham mayor Sir Robin Wales said: "The Royal Docks offer a stunning waterside landscape. They are a development area the size of Venice with an area of 12 miles of dock and the river edge. "They are a place where London's future essential economic growth can truly thrive and being able to host artistic collaborations of this nature can only add to their potential for investment."