Market Estate, Islington, London
We are undertaking a comprehensive £50 million regeneration of the Market Estate in Islington to deliver mixed tenure homes including 89 homes for private sale in the final phase for Southern Housing Group and in consultation with the Market Estate Tenants and Residents Association (METRA).
| Budget: | £26,650,000 (Phases 1 & 2) |
| Procurement: | Design and Build |
| Client: | Southern Housing Group |
| Architect: | H.T.A. Architects |
| Cost Consultant: | Philip Pank Partnership |
Phase 1 was the construction of 140 new build flats and houses on an occupied estate, consisting of 4 separate areas of works across the estate. The contract also included works to public spaces. The works were and continue to be carried out on a ‘live’ estate environment with demolition and new build being undertaken in close proximity to existing residential blocks.
A significant element of the first phase was the redevelopment and remodelling of the adjacent Caledonian Park. This transformed the park to provide extensive leisure facilities for the local community.
The project was awarded following a competitive tender but once appointed we adopted a ‘one team’ collaborative working approach with the client and our consultants. Resident communication and consultation continues to be the key to the success of this project and we have Community and Resident Liaison staff based on the site. An agreed neighbourhood policy is in place and a range of community initiatives have been introduced.
Prior to our regeneration the estate had been labelled a “sink estate” with a particular relationship to crime, and we quickly identified that we were rebuilding a community not simply new homes. The masterplan made a concerted effort to open up the Estate with more street houses, play areas, and regenerated green spaces; and a number of initiatives were implemented to reduce crime and being the community together such as:-
- a significant number of local youths were engaged as Estate Based trainees and apprentices;
- we initiated a hoarding project providing local children with the opportunity to design artwork on the hoarding;
- we provided a new basketball court early on in the works programme and sponsored a local basketball team;
- we demolished existing blocks that had been havens of crime and anti-social behaviour due to their poor design;
- the remodelling of Caledonian Park to enhance visibility reduced the level of criminal and anti-social activities including prostitution and drug-dealing.
Following on from the completion of Phase 1, crime has diminished considerably with a noticeable positive integration between neighbours in its place.
Phase 2 is a continuation of the overall estate regeneration and comprises the development of 94 affordable units.
Phase 3 is due to commence in January 2010 and will comprise the replacement of 125 existing homes with 187 homes comprising 67 affordable and 120 private homes.