Deputy Mayor starts redevelopment of historic hospital site to provide new family homes

On 17 September Richard Blakeway, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property, joined project partners Rydon and Family Mosaic to celebrate the start of construction on 188 new homes at the former Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children in Tower Hamlets.

The former hospital site has remained unused for nearly 20 years, until it was taken over by the Greater London Authority. Following plans agreed by Tower Hamlets Council and the Mayor of London, as part of his commitment to boost house building, partners Rydon and Family Mosaic are now bringing the site back into use to deliver homes to rent or buy.

Work began on the site this summer and will continue until the completion of the project in 2017.

The developers are retaining and refurbishing the original historic façade on Hackney Road, as a permanent reminder of the building’s history. This sympathetic assimilation of the old and the new is reflected in the branding of the development as ‘Mettle & Poise’.

The project is delivering a total of 188 much needed new homes, of which 38% (43% by habitable room) will be affordable, either for rent (48 homes) or for purchase with shared ownership (24 homes). 45% of the affordable rented dwellings will be three or four bedroom family homes.

The remaining selection of 116 suites and one, two and three bedroom apartments are for private sale. A newly formed pedestrian route, community space and a basement car park are also being provided as part of the scheme.

The Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property, Richard Blakeway said:

“ It is vitally important that long-standing empty sites like this are urgently put back into community use. This is part of a vast portfolio of land the Mayor is releasing to boost house building across the capital and address the 30 year failure to deliver enough homes. We have ensured the design incorporates some original architecture of the former hospital in honor of the site’s rich heritage. I look forward to the delivery of much needed good quality new homes that will be a great asset to the area.”

Mark Mitchener, Managing Director, Rydon Construction commented:

“ Every effort has gone into the quality of design in this historic site’s redevelopment. From retaining the Hackney Road façade to maintain the integrity and history of the original building, through to developing high-quality new homes that people need in the local area. This is an exciting scheme providing many homes for Tower Hamlets and we look forward to its delivery for 2017.”

Brendan Sarsfield, Chief Executive, Family Mosaic added:

“ This is a great example of the public and private sector working together to bring about the regeneration of a long term disused site. The Queen Elizabeth hospital site is a fantastic location. We are delighted to be able to build some high quality homes, including a significant number of affordable homes for local people, while remaining sensitive to the site’s history.”

The development followed more than 12 months of planning and consultation by the project team, including HTA Design, LLP and Savills Planning, who worked closely with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the Mayor’s Office and the local community, to ensure plans for the site best meet local housing needs.

The hospital first came to Hackney Road in 1868, then expanded during the 1870s with the creation of the buildings along Goldsmith’s Row. The Hackney Road building was begun in 1896 and completed in 1903. Further expansion continued throughout the 20th century, right up to the 1970s. The hospital closed in 1997, after 109 years of service to the local community.

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