Tower Crane removal signals milestone for London’s Church Street Area Regeneration

The removal of the Tower Crane last weekend signals an important milestone in the Ashbridge Street project for Westminster Council.

Increasingly local authorities in major cities are faced with regenerating problematic brownfield land for affordable housing. Often private sale is used to finance the new housing and offset the cost of these complex developments.

Westminster Council had this challenge as part of regenerating the Church Street area in London. By building a high-end development of 49 apartments, on land partially over the Bakerloo Line at Cosway Street they could fund 26 flats and 2 townhouses on nearby land at Ashbridge Street and Ashmill Street. The diversity of the sites, each with their distinct constraints would require specialist solutions by Osborne.

At Cosway Street, protecting the rail tunnels and dampening vibration for residents was critical. At Ashbridge Street, part of the existing building and the basement had to be retained and an outdoor living space created in this busy setting. Residents will also benefit from lower energy costs with the adoption of air source heat pump alternatives to gas boilers. At Ashmill Street, two infill terraced houses have been integrated into the historic street frontage.

Senior Project Manager Dan Richards added ”Here at Osborne we continue to grow our expertise in complex housing solutions for city centres. Solutions that draw and learn from on our in-house lower carbon offsite manufacturing expertise, our work with new technologies in our retrofit frameworks and our own experience of building, operating, and maintaining residential accommodation. I am now looking forward to undertaking work on the building’s surroundings, a vital part in creating quality and safe outdoor space for the new residents and communities.”