Regeneration at Leopold Estate
Leopold Estate in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is currently undergoing an extensive regeneration. Countryside Properties are currently undertaking redevelopment of the site, which includes the development of 367 new homes, ranging from one to four bedroom flats and associated amenity spaces.
The estate is a trapezoidal parcel of land bounded by Burdett Road to the West, Ackroyd Drive to the North-West, Bow Common Lane to the North-East and St.Paul’s Way to the South. The site is solely in residential use and is conveniently close to community facilities to the south; these include St Paul’s Way Trust School, St Paul’s Way Medical Centre and St Paul’s Bow Common Church as well as local shops, primary schools and bus services.
The estate is also well located for public open space with Mile End Park to the West of Burdett Road, allotments and open space on Ackroyd Drive beside the railway viaduct and the huge Tower Hamlets Cemetery, all within less than five minutes walk.
Mile End, Bow Road and Devons Road tube stations are within 10 minutes walk providing quick access to the West End, City and Canary Wharf. Bus routes 323, 277, D6 and 309 run along Bow Common Lane, Burdett Road and St Paul’s Way and the site has a Public Transport Access Level (PTAL) rating of between 2 and 5.
The site has been the subject of full and outline planning consent for the demolition of 166 post war dwellings and the construction of new homes in three stages, namely; refurbishment of the Elmsile Point tower block to the West and all of the Red Blocks.
Countryside Properties Project Manager David Taylor commented: “The original buildings were looking rundown so the owners wanted it restructured and re-done. They are doing the whole area so it is a regeneration of the whole space. The local residents seem to be taking it well because it is bringing a new look and feel to the area and is bringing new people to the area as well.”
Phase 1 New Build consists of seven blocks ranging in height from 5-8 storeys, providing 122 new homes. Phase 2 New Build has a large courtyard with residential blocks around it, ranging in height from 4-10 storeys, which has provided 358 new dwellings.
St Paul’s Square (Base3 Leopold Estate), Living area
David said: “Everything is going marvellously well and to plan. We started building work in March 2015 and are looking to be complete in April 2018.
“We had our first occupations in June and from what we have been told, the customers are all over the moon.”
The buildings are all constructed of RC Frames with brick clad fascias and some minor landscaping work has also been undertaken to provide public open space for the tenants.
David added: “Every building is a different brick or different colour and they are all different shapes and sizes. We have some external balconies projected from the buildings as well. When I first saw the design I wasn’t too keen on it but as it has come along, it actually looks quite nice.”
The properties at the development include exquisitely crafted units in a Sand Ultra Gloss colour scheme with a lacquered finish, coupled with a Line N handle less range evoking clean lines and refined simplicity. 20mm Coral Clay silestone composite worktops and under unit disc lights conjure an ambient mood with classic style. Other products and appliances at the properties include AEG, Electrolux, Bosch, Elica, Blanco sinks and Hansgrohe taps.
Popular Harca will take over the homes on Leopold Estate, which are a mixture of Housing Association/Shared Ownership and private sales with prices ranging from £6,900 for shared ownership properties and £8,800 for private ownership properties.
Countryside Properties is passionate about creating places where people aspire to live, that deliver enduring value and where people feel a true sense of belonging. From the character of the homes they build to the planning of environments and considerate use of materials, their creative approach to place making ensures that they have a positive impact on all of those who live in or around their developments.
As it stands work on all of the frames of the flats is complete with the first block set to be handed over in September. The second block is currently undergoing painting and first fixing and brick laying has begun on the final two blocks.
Commenting on working on the site, David said: “We all love it here. It has been a great project, with a great scheme.”
For his work on the project, David has been awarded an NHBC Pride in the Job award.
A Pride in the Job award is the highest industry accolade a site manager can receive. It represents success for the site manager, his team and associated trades as well as providing a reputation boost for the building company. Most importantly, home owners who buy a Pride in the Job award-winning home benefit from a high quality product.
Winners of the Pride in the Job Awards will now go on to compete for a Seal of Excellence and Regional Award.
St Paul’s Square (Base3 Leopold Estate), Bathroom
NEOS Protect
NEOS Protect Ltd specialises in the manufacture and installation of external mild steel, access controlled, Communal Doors for New Build Housing developments and Estate Refurbishment schemes, in full accordance with Secured by Design “Homes 2016” Design Guide and Building Regulations AD Part Q – Building Security.
Formed in June 2015, NEOS Protect have worked for most major UK Housing Developers and House Builders on numerous prestigious development across London and the South East, with their products specified by leading Housing Associations and London Borough ALMO’s.
Commenting on their work at Leopold Estate, Kevin Walker, of NEOS Protect, told Premier Construction:
“NEOS Protect are providing all the front and rear core entrance doors plus other common, accessed controlled doors to the blocks – bicycle stores – plus restricted access Plant Rooms Doors incorporating unique GERDA locks for aided Fire Brigade emergency entry.
“As NEOS Protect Ltd are a nominated supplier to the end client – Poplar HARCA Ltd – and also a preferred supplier to Countryside Properties plc, the opportunity to work closely with two existing and valued client is invaluable. We know what the end client wants and we know how Countryside want to deliver it.
“As a company, NEOS Protect Ltd pride themselves on being a performance and customer driven company – listening to what the market is requesting and if it is not presently available the company will research and develop a product to fully comply. The company’s varied, innovative and continual SBD Testing regime places NEOS Protect Ltd as the market leader of these specialist products.”
