Partners celebrate major affordable homes milestone at the Silk District, Whitechapel
On Tuesday 1 March, L&Q and Mount Anvil were joined by Mayor John Biggs and other senior representatives from London Borough of Tower Hamlets to celebrate the topping out of a new affordable housing block being delivered at The Silk District in Whitechapel.
To mark the occasion, Mayor John Biggs poured the final section of concrete on the roof of the building, completing the structure of the block.
The Silk District is a new development in the heart of one of London’s oldest areas, being delivered by Mount Anvil and L&Q, one of the UK’s leading housing associations. Located moments from Whitechapel Station and within walking distance to the City, the development is delivering 698 homes across two phases, including 35% affordable housing spread across all blocks, with an inclusive mix of affordable rented, shared ownership and private sale homes.
Construction work started in April 2019, and is scheduled to complete in June 2023.
Jacqueline Esimaje-Heath, Growth Director at L&Q, said:
“We were delighted to celebrate, with our joint partners Mount Anvil - as well as our key stakeholders Tower Hamlets and the GLA - this major milestone. This unique partnership has enabled us to do so much – from creating one of East London’s most exciting emerging new neighbourhoods, to increasing local affordable housing provision. We’re excited to be heading into our final year of construction, and welcoming residents into their new homes.”
Marcus Bate, Partnerships and Communities Director at Mount Anvil, said:
“This partnership with L&Q has been a highly successful one when we look back at the goals we set together at the outset – increasing the amount of affordable housing and affordable workspace, accelerating construction and sales, and creating a high-quality place for all residents. And along the way we’ve built some brilliant relationships with our friends at L&Q; learning from and with them as we’ve delivered this very complex scheme.”
“We’re really proud that over 30% of this development is dedicated to new public realm. It provides sustainable and inclusive spaces for residents of all tenures, creating a positive legacy and a key destination in the vision for Whitechapel’s future. The Silk District is also a pilot scheme for our Peloton partnership – making it the first residential development in the UK to offer Peloton bikes within its residents’ gym."
A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson, said:
"Housing is a priority for Tower Hamlets Council. We’re playing our part in tackling the housing crisis in the borough by building new social homes and are pleased to be working with partners like L&Q and Mount Anvil to provide more affordable rented and shared ownership homes.”