Kings Crescent Estate in the London Borough of Hackney has been awarded the Best Regeneration Project at this year’s National Housing Awards. It was also awarded Highly Commended for Best Partnership between Higgins and Hackney Council.
The judges stated that Kings Crescent is “an extremely well judged and valuable Estate Regeneration which fulfils the local authority’s aim of becoming a benchmark scheme. Careful consideration of the existing estate led to the retention and renovation of the best existing buildings and successfully integrated new-build.
“The judges thought the scheme was attractively and robustly designed with careful consideration of complementary materials, proportions and urban context. 97% of sales were local people which is a great testimony to the scheme. A very impressive venture and all concerned should be congratulated.”
In its 12thyear, The National Housing Awards (NHA) celebrates excellence in home ownership. Pictured above from left to right are Wendy Hegerty (Red Loft), Karen Barke (Hackney), Owen Thompson from Hackney, Bronwen Thomas from Hackney, Phil Burrows, Higgins Construction, Shappi Khorsandi and Edward Blackett (Karakusevic Carson).
Richard Higgins, Chairman of Higgins Group PLC commented: “It has been an award winning year for Kings Crescent Estate. We are delighted that it is getting the recognition it deserves as a flagship project for large scale estate renewal which involved the local residents and stakeholders from day one.”
Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, said: “Hackney is building thousands of council homes for families most in need of somewhere to live, and we believe that social housing should not compromise on the high-quality modern design our residents deserve. It’s fantastic to see council-led developments like our regeneration of the Kings Crescent Estate picking up awards like this, and I’m proud that Hackney is leading a new generation of council housebuilding.”
Higgins Group was appointed as developer contractor by Hackney Council to deliver the first two phases of273 new and 101 refurbished homes, 41% for Social Rent and 10% Shared Ownership, achieving 50% affordable housing. Of the 273 new homes, 158 were Private Sale, which funded delivery of the rest of the scheme.
Designed by Karakusevic Carson Architects in collaboration with Henley Halebrown Architects and Muf Architecture/Art LLP, the project was influenced by an extensive community engagement programme, ensuring the design best reflects the needs and aspirations of residents and local people. The project is an example of future local-authority housing.
