March 29, 2024

Higgins appointed by Islington Council to redevelop Telfer House site

Following the successful regeneration of phases one and two of the King Square Estate, Islington Council has awarded Higgins the contract to redevelop the Telfer House site in Lever Street, Clerkenwell, Islington. 

The contract will see the demolition of the ageing 1960s low rise residential block, which contained 16 flats with a new high quality part five storey, part six storey building providing 38 mixed tenure one, two and three-bedroom apartments for existing and future residents. 

The scheme will provide 68% social rent and 32% private sale apartments, with the private sale raising capital to help fund the project, alongside the GLA funding secured by Islington Council. 

The apartments have been designed to meet the highest standards of accessibility and inclusion exceeding London Plan internal space and external amenity space standard, with four wheelchair accessible units on the ground floor.

Steve Leakey, Managing Director of Higgins, said: “We are extremely pleased to once again be working with Islington Council to deliver much needed new homes for the borough. The project will transform an aged site into high quality affordable and private sale apartments which will fit in seamlessly with the other properties on Lever Street.  

“Sustainability is also an important part of this project and we will be incorporating a number of measures including photovoltaic solar panels, green roofs, SUD drainage and a combined heat and power system.”

The external landscape is of significant importance to the development. There will be a series of small and secure communal gardens for the residents with raised brick planters and timber lined seating, providing a quiet and secure communal environment. Located directly opposite King Square Gardens, the design has also maximised the views across the green space with all balcony spaces orientated towards the Gardens and green space.

The project has been designed by architects Studio Partington. Key to the success of the scheme has been the approach to include the residents of Telfer House and wider King Square Estate community, in the design process. A valuable partnership between the council, residents and designers was established from the beginning, in order to ensure that the needs and requirements of the end-user would be met. A series of consultations were held to give residents the opportunity to be involved in the decision making process. 

Higgins has built a reputation as a trusted contractor and developer who delivers exemplar, award winning projects on time and on budget across London and the South East.  Working collaboratively and in partnership with clients, supply chain and design consultants the Group delivers new build and refurbishment projects and creates mixed tenure sustainable developments that are inspiring, safe and secure.  Higgins’ projects are more than just construction.  Each community is central to what the company does, and its aim is to improve the quality of life and create new opportunities for residents.