Developer Far East Consortium (FEC), along with its contractor Ardmore and Make Architects, celebrate an important construction milestone with the topping out of new residential block, Uren building, at Hornsey Town Hall in Crouch End.
The building’s name takes inspiration from the New Zealand-born architect Reginald Uren who designed the original Town Hall, which completed in 1935 and is now recognised as one of the earliest and most iconic examples of modernist architecture in Britain.
Held on Tuesday 1st June on the rooftop of the five-storey building, the largest of the new residential apartment blocks to be built within the historic grounds of Hornsey Town Hall, the topping out ceremony marked a major step forward in FEC’s plans to deliver a new residential community alongside a vibrant mixed-use development.
Present from FEC were John Connolly, Head of UK Development, Nick Poon, Head of Projects and Scott Lau, Senior Project Manager, who were joined by Directors James Byrne and Joe Pitt from Ardmore, Katy Ghahremani from Make Architects and Paul Stanley from Coplan.
John Connolly, Head of UK Development at Far East Consortium comments, “We are delighted to have reached this important construction milestone for the local community and the residents who plan to make Hornsey Town Hall their home. This milestone is testament to the hard work of the FEC team, Ardmore, Make Architects and of all our partners to deliver a landmark scheme that represents the future of how we want to live. New apartments will sit alongside buildings of significant history and heritage to create a place where people come together to live, work, socialise and enjoy the best that a neighbourhood has to offer.”
The Uren building, which comprises 82 of the development’s total 135 new one, two and three-bedroom apartments, is set to handover in November 2021. The remaining 53 apartments will be located throughout Ayres building, a new build block due to handover in February 2022, a Mews building and a carefully restored Grade II listed Broadway Annex, also in the Town Hall grounds.
Uren building’s striking façade, with layered brickwork and carefully crafted geometric metal balustrades, reflects the iconic Art Deco features and modernist aesthetic of the Town Hall. The building is made up of four linked pavilions stretching from Haringey Park towards Weston Park. Patterned balcony balustrades punctuate the bold brick façade, and the balconies provide each of the 82 apartments with their own private outdoor space. From the top floors of this block many of the residents will be able to enjoy views of Alexandra Palace and the North London skyline.
Inside the apartments, interiors will reflect the history and spirit of Hornsey Town Hall with Art Deco detailing and features, such as, replica door handles, chevon timber flooring and terrazzo-inspired kitchen worktop surfaces.
The iconic Grade II* listed Hornsey Town Hall and Town Hall Square are currently being fully restored to their former glory and will be delivered back to the community in 2022 complete with a new Arts Centre, co-working hub, and hotel with rooftop bar and terrace.
Nick Poon, Head of Projects at Far East Consortium says, “The Uren building is a great example of how we are seamlessly blending old with new to create beautiful spaces that reflect modern living, whilst respecting the past. Being able to bring Hornsey Town Hall’s rich history and stand out architecture into the design of the new blocks has remained our focus throughout the build and restoration. We are so pleased to be one step closer to completion and able to show Crouch End’s community the progress we’re making.”
Joe Pitt, Director on behalf of Ardmore comments, “To reach a landmark on a project of this local importance, with so much legacy attached to Hornsey Town Hall, is a real achievement and we look forward to delivering the rest of the scheme to the highest of standards so that people can start enjoying everything this development has to offer.”
As well as the topping out of Uren building, restoration of the iconic Town Hall has continued, with Ardmore replacing the roof structure above the Council Chambers and Assembly Hall, whilst internal structural works to the Assembly Hall and west wing are underway. Last month also saw good progress being made on all rooms from the ground to second floor in the Town Hall’s east wing extension and work continues on the Mews and Broadway Annex.
Prices start from £505,950 for a one-bedroom apartment and £664,950 for a two-bedroom apartment. Apartments under the government’s Help to Buy scheme will soon be available for first time buyers.
For information on Hornsey Town Hall please email info@hornsey-townhall.co.uk or visit www.hornsey-townhall.co.uk
For information on FEC please visit www.fecil.uk
For more images of the Topping Out ceremony:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fyhqb9r2fh6pt8f/AADfTHxsbfrNdqD2jT7SAuaNa?dl=0
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For further press information please contact Elevate PR:
Polly Martin 01883 818010 polly@elevatepr.co.uk
Grace Verdon 01883 818010 grace@elevatepr.co.uk
About Far East Consortium (FEC)
Founded in 1972 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, FEC is a property developer, and holds a strategic investment in Dorsett Hospitality International, manages and owns casinos and is a leading car park operator in Asia-Pacific with additional car parks in the UK. Overall, the company’s over forty-year track record has resulted in a significant infrastructure of residential, mixed-use and hotel spaces throughout the Asia-Pacific and Europe regions. FEC aims to continue this success across London and the South East, Manchester and other key cities across the UK.
FEC UK was established in 2012. Over this time, FEC UK has grown exponentially as a leading nationwide developer with a collective GDV of approximately £1.4bn in committed projects. As part of FEC UK’s vision for the future, it is focused on delivering almost 18,000 new homes across all of its UK-wide projects, in addition to key projects in Europe. FEC UK is known for forging strong links with public bodies and private enterprises, bringing to fruition a number of flagship projects in collaboration with local government organisations and housing associations. To date, FEC UK has over 12 million square feet of committed mixed-use developments.
In London, FEC’s current projects include Consort Place and Ensign House in Canary Wharf and the restoration of Hornsey Town Hall in Crouch End. In the North of England, FEC is leading the regeneration of Manchester’s Victoria North district – previously the Northern Gateway – which will see the construction of more than 15,000 new homes over the next decade.
With head offices in London’s Mayfair and a regional office in Manchester, FEC opened its UK operation in 2012. The opening of Dorsett Shepherds Bush Hotel was in 2014. Its second hotel in the UK, Dorsett City, opened in summer 2017. Overall, FEC’s Dorsett Hospitality International is located in 27 major cities worldwide.
For more information, please visit: www.fecil.uk
