Islington's Market regeneration applaudedWelcome to Southern Housing Group
17 December 2008
The first phase of the redevelopment of the Market Estate has won the 2007/08 Design Award given by Southern Housing Group's Design Panel from a short-list of brand-new housing schemes across southern England. The accolade coincides with the completion of the second phase of the rejuvenation of Caledonian Park which is adjacent to the Market. These changes include a new park entrance, the planting of around 100 new trees and the completion of extensive drainage works to the Great Lawn.Picture of Market Estate showing clock towerThe clock's ticking: The iconic Clock Tower within Caledonian Park oversees the regeneration of the Market Estate; the winner of this year's Southern Housing Group Design Award.The project is a superb example of the successful redevelopment of a former run-down inner city estate where the residents have been fully involved in the process of the design and the delivery of their new homes. To date Southern Housing Group has invested more than £20 million in the reconstruction out of the projected £43 million inclusive of £1 million within Caledonian Park.Artist's impression of the first phase of the Market Estate development David Kelly who is a resident of the Market and a Board member of Southern Housing Group says that the award is recognition of the Market's extraordinary transformation into a high-quality, affordable residential development where local people are proud to live."This award is timely recognition of the huge progress that has been made since the residents voted for the stock transfer in 2004. The residents have come a long way as we have always said that the regeneration is about more than, bricks and mortar; it's about the people."METRA (Market Estate Tenants and Residents Association) took the lead in driving the regeneration. David added: "We selected Southern Housing Group as the preferred housing association to deliver the projects and it has been a partnership that has worked.""I watched my new flat being built and my old block being demolished. The traditional street pattern in yellow London brick was our choice and we have influenced the design of our homes from the roofs - to the cupboard handles in the kitchens," he said.The Design Panel was most impressed by the depth of the involvement of its residents and the positive feedback received from the on-site project team and the residents themselves.Residents who moved into their new homes in 2007 gave positive feedback. "The flats are well insulated and as a result there are lower gas and electricity bills." Another added: "There is very good cupboard and storage space." And: "I really love my new home it's very big."The Design Panel also took into account that the redevelopment met many of the Building for Life assessment criteria. The members said: "The scheme is revitalising not just regenerating the area. It is clear that there is already a sense of place at the Market which is reflected in, but not copied from, the Victorian terraces in the area."Valli van Zijl, Southern Housing Group's Regeneration Director, said that the Market has justifiably won this year's Design Award because the place that we are creating is fit for the needs of our residents and the wider community in the 21st Century.She added: "The first phase of the regeneration has been a challenging building project for several reasons. The new homes were built in extreme proximity of existing flats and it is always a complex task successfully decanting residents from their properties into their new homes.""Soon the Market Estate will be no more as the residents wanted to go back to traditional street patterns with housing having front and back gardens. They requested large apartments with wide balconies and these were the principal requirements that our architects provided in the master plan. The master plan also makes the most of the neighbouring Caledonian Park which brings benefits to the wider community," she said.Stephen Ross, Project Director added that the award is an important recognition of the progress that has been made in providing high quality, new affordable homes and bringing benefits to the wider community by the investment in Caledonian Park. The project is an exemplar of the positive partnership approach.For more information please contact Karen Bermingham, Communications Team, on 020 7553 6479. Mobile: 07789 718 251. Email: karen.bermingham@shgroup.org.uk Notes for EditorsThe former Market Estate was owned and managed by the London Borough of Islington and was built in the 1960s. It comprised a total of 271 flats and maisonettes, 20 of which were bought under Right to Buy Legislation. The flats were arranged into six blocks:Clock Tower Place Southdown Kerry Tamworth112 flats in 3 x 4 storey blocks 53 flats on 8 storeys 53 flats on 8 storeys 53 flats on 8 storeys First Phase Started October 2005Completed September 2007 Construction of 140 new homes for rentCaledonian Park improvements including provision of a new ball court Second PhaseStarted October 2007Completion date September 2009 Demolition of 1-97 Clocktower Place, Kerry and SouthdownConstruction of 90 new homes for rentCaledonian Park improvements including new entrances and woodland walkSouthern Housing Group is one of southern England’s largest housing associations. Founded over 100 years ago, we own and manage 24,000 homes for more than 66,000 residents, employing more than 900 people and working with more than 80 local authorities.Our activities centre on four-key areas: the developmentof quality-affordable housing, housing and neighbourhood management, a range of rent and home ownership and social investment.We believe that building communities is as important as building homes. So as well as developing and managing quality, affordable housing for rent and ownership, we invest considerable resources to provide an environment where people really want to live.Southern Housing Group Limited is a Charitable Industrial and Provident Society No. 27412R.
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