The Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs has celebrated the start of construction on 70 affordable homes at St George's London Dock development in Wapping. A former office building, Times House, will be converted into new homes for Peabody.
In a commencement ceremony on 28 July 2015, Mr Biggs unveiled an engraved brass plaque and welcomed the early delivery of the affordable homes as part of the first phase of London Dock.
John Biggs said: "I am delighted to be celebrating the delivery of new affordable homes for Tower Hamlets here at London Dock, including much needed housing for local families. This important project is a result of a successful partnership between developer St George, the council and housing association Peabody."
The Mayor was joined by Chairman of the Berkeley Group Tony Pidgley CBE; Chief Executive of Peabody Stephen Howlett; and Managing Director of St George City Craig Carson.
Mr Howlett said: "Times House will provide fantastic new affordable and social rent homes in Wapping. Peabody has over 150 years of experience in social housing in London and we are delighted to be working with St George on this exciting development."
Mr Carson said: "We are delighted to be delivering the first affordable homes at London Dock with Peabody. Today's commencement ceremony marks a new chapter in the history of London Dock. 'Fortress Wapping' is being transformed into a vibrant, mixed community with high quality affordable and market housing, as well as 210,000 sq ft of commercial space and six acres of beautifully landscaped public realm."
Planning permission was granted for London Dock in March 2014. The 15 acre site was formerly a newspaper print works and offices for News International.
When complete, the mixed-use development will include 1,800 homes, 486 of which will be affordable housing in a range of tenures to meet local needs. As well as the 70 affordable and social homes at Times House, London Dock will provide a further 91 social and 113 affordable rent properties, along with 212 First Time Buyer homes to help local people get onto the property ladder.