Grand Union Place in Tower Hamlets has been transformed from Stepney Gas Works into a rejuvenated affordable, thriving and diverse community. The canal-side development provides 524 homes of different types and tenures supporting households of different sizes, ages and incomes. Properties range from one bedroom flats to six bedroom houses and are dispersed throughout the complex in a mixed array so that there is a blend of social rented accommodation, and homes that are fully or part-owned (part buy part rent scheme) with the different tenures indistinguishable.

Grand Union Place not only meets one of London Borough Tower Hamlets ’s top priorities to eliminate high numbers of families living in overcrowded conditions but it was the first of a number of new build developments where East Thames’ innovative ‘Rent Now, Buy Later’ scheme was offered. Since its launch it has become the most successful ‘try before you buy’ scheme of its type, with 360 first-time buyers signing up across east London and Essex.

East Thames Group received the top industry award from the Chartered Institute of Housing and Inside Housing UK Awards marking its recognition of ‘Meeting housing needs and aspirations in a changing market’.

Trevor Burns, East Thames Group Assistant Director of Development, said: “We are extremely proud of Grand Union Place and the success of our Rent Now, Buy Later scheme, which also received a national award last week. Grand Union Place is a great example of our commitment to providing high-quality, affordable homes in neighbourhoods where people are proud to live. The fact that so many residents came together for our recent Meet Your Neighbours Day is a great demonstration of the success of this development, which has turned derelict land into a thriving community.”