L&Q, Mount Anvil, Mayor John Biggs and other senior representatives from London Borough of Tower Hamlets celebrate the topping out of a new affordable housing block in Whitechapel
The Silk District is a new affordable housing block, in the heart of one of London’s oldest areas, being delivered by Mount Anvil and L&Q.
698 homes are being built across two phases, including 35% affordable housing, with a mix of affordable rented, shared ownership and private sale homes.
Mayor John Biggs poured the final section of concrete on the roof of the building to mark the occasion.
Construction work started in April 2019 and is scheduled to complete in June 2023.
‘London’s most exciting emerging new neighbourhoods’
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.”
‘30% of this development is dedicated to new public realm’
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.”
‘Housing is a priority for Tower Hamlets Council’
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 to provide more affordable rented and shared ownership homes.”
