JJ Rhatigan picked for £49m London housing job
3/5/24
JJ Rhatigan has been selected for a £49m London scheme containing a co-living homes and women-only housing.
The UK arm of the Ireland-headquartered contractor was appointed by developer HUB to deliver Yardhouse, the redevelopment of two buildings in White City, west London, for housing association Women's Pioneer Housing (WPH).
The existing buildings, which host WPH's headquarters and 36 affordable homes, will be replaced with a 16-storey tower with two six-storey wings.
JJ Rhatigan regional director Tom Neylon said: "The co-living option is an exciting sector of the residential market right now and provides a valuable housing option for the ever-changing population demographics and much-needed help for the current housing issues.
"We also look forward to working closely with Women's Pioneer Housing to deliver new homes and offices for this unique housing association."
The tower will contain 209 co-living apartments, while the lower-rise blocks will provide 60 affordable homes for single women and a new office for WPH. There will be a publicly accessible cafe and gym at the ground level.
The WPH office will occupy the ground floor and the one-bedroom flats will sit above, centred around a shared terrace.
HUB and co-developer Bridges Fund Management secured an £88m forward funding deal with Singapore-based real estate developer City Developments Ltd to deliver the scheme.
HUB managing director Damien Sharkey said: "Yardhouse is a prime example for next-generation co-living, where we are delivering much-needed new homes and amenities, office space and improved public realm.
"The appointment of JJ Rhatigan is a huge step forward in delivering our vision."
Hammersmith & Fulham Council initially rejected the scheme in October 2022, citing concerns about the building's height and potential overheating in summer. The decision was reversed a month later.
The developers initially applied for a 29-storey tower containing 80 affordable homes for WPH and 350 co-living units, which was opposed by local groups. The initial proposal was worth £80m.
The new development borders the White City regeneration area, which includes the redevelopment of former BBC studios into nearly 1,000 homes, being delivered by contractors including Kier and Multiplex.
JJ Rhatigan is working on several large residential projects in and around London, including a £500m deal with developer Strawberry Star to build 2,000 homes in Luton, Harlow, Wembley and Kenton. It also took over a £78m 662-bed student-accommodation scheme on the Brent Cross redevelopment from Henry Construction.
Source; Construction News