St George, a proud member of the Berkeley Group, is pleased to announce that Grand Union has taken home the title of Best Mixed-Use Project at the 2023 Brent Design Awards hosted by Brent Council.
The inaugural awards celebrate excellence in the built environment, with a particular focus on projects that positively contribute to the local community, champion sustainable design and ultimately improve quality of life for residents and visitors across the London Borough of Brent.
What Are the Brent Design Awards?
The Brent Design Awards were launched by Brent Council to recognise and celebrate excellence in architecture, urban design and placemaking across the borough. The awards highlight developments that make a positive contribution to Brent's communities, support sustainable growth and create high-quality places for people to live, work and enjoy.
Projects are judged on their design quality, environmental credentials, community impact and ability to enhance the local area. Grand Union's award win reflects its success in delivering a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood that combines new homes, employment opportunities, green space and community amenities.
An Award-Winning New Neighbourhood
Located alongside the Grand Union Canal in Alperton, Grand Union is creating a new neighbourhood that will meet a wide variety of housing needs. The development will deliver 3,350 mixed-tenure homes, ranging from Manhattan to three-bedroom apartments, with 1,000 homes being affordable.
The development is spread across 22 acres, with 14 acres of high-quality public realm including landscaped gardens, riverside meadows, waterside pathways and play areas.
Opening Up the Canal and Enhancing Public Space
Previously inaccessible parts of the canal have also been opened up by St George, allowing residents and visitors to make full use of new pedestrian and cycle routes. This forms part of a wider commitment to helping residents live more sustainably while encouraging active travel throughout the neighbourhood.
The development has also been carefully designed to support biodiversity and greener lifestyles. Plans include 590 electric vehicle charging points and 5,612 cycle storage spaces, while a beehive housing 35,000 bees will play a vital role in supporting the area's biodiversity and ecosystem.
A Thriving Mixed-Use Community
Once complete, Grand Union will become an all-encompassing neighbourhood, with access to restaurants, a Co-op supermarket and Eggy Mart Asian supermarket, coffee shops, a medical centre, canalside piazza, Anytime Fitness gym, co-working space and a range of social activities including a bowling alley and screening room.
The development also features a Community Hub and a historic narrowboat named PAVO, which is moored beside the new piazza and serves as a unique community asset for residents and visitors alike.
Supporting Local Jobs and Business Growth
In addition to the extensive residential and amenity offering, the neighbourhood will be home to SEGRO V-Park Grand Union, an innovative concept providing flexible light industrial space over six storeys.
Delivered in partnership with SEGRO, the project is expected to support up to 500 jobs and apprenticeships, creating valuable employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy.
Setting a Benchmark for Mixed-Use Development
Grand Union's recognition at the Brent Design Awards reflects the development's contribution to creating a sustainable, connected and vibrant new neighbourhood in Brent.
By combining much-needed new homes, extensive public open space, employment opportunities and community facilities, Grand Union is helping to shape the future of the borough.
Read more about the award-winning Grand Union development in Wembley