£5.5m barge-inspired block will deliver 22 ‘intermediate rent’ homes for city council’s housing charity

A £5.5m block of flats designed by Child Graddon Lewis for Westminster council’s housing charity has reached practical completion.

The scheme is built on a canalside site off Ladbroke Grove that the practice describes as “small and awkwardly shaped” and will deliver 22 “intermediate rent” flats for Westminster Community Homes.

CGL said it was appointed to the scheme three years ago with a brief to design a high-quality contemporary building that differed from usual affordable housing schemes.

The practice said its proposals for the brownfield site, next to the Grand Union Canal, had been developed through a compact housing model that appeals to single renters.

WCH’s plan for the development is to help residents get a foot on the first rung of the property ladder by allowing them to accumulate up to £2,000 a year that can be used for a deposit, subject to a good tenancy record.

Ladbroke Grove by Child Graddon Lewis

Side view of Child Graddon Lewis’ intermediate rent development for Westminster Community Homes in Ladbroke Grove, north Westminster

CGL director and lead architect Arita Morris said the final design featured perforated, sliding aluminum screens, glazed bricks and a colour palette that was inspired by canal barges.

“We are obviously very excited to see our design for Ladbroke Grove come to life,” she said.

“This has been a very exciting yet challenging project, working within a very restricted urban site.

“We worked very closely with Westminster Community Homes to deliver their vision, while ensuring the project met affordable housing requirements and we’re delighted to see that this has been achieved.”