ODA starts handover of East Village homes
The first apartments and townhouses are handed over to Get Living London by the Olympic Delivery Authority.
The move by the ODA paves the way for residents to move into the first of 2,818 apartments and townhouses in East Village, the former Olympic and Paralympic Village, where eventually as many as 7,000 people will live. Get Living London and Triathlon Homes will become the long-term owners of East Village once transformation work is completed in 2014.
The first of the 11 residential areas, or ‘plots’, to be completed, known as N10, contains 281 homes equipped with brand new kitchens and new floor coverings, all with a balcony, private terrace or wintergarden. They are centred around a residents’ courtyard, with neighbouring public spaces including parklands, wetlands and children’s play areas, all on the doorstep of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City.
The ODA has transferred the first 129 homes to Get Living London, which is now beginning work to install fitted wardrobes, curtains and blinds, and furniture before the first renters move in. In addition the ODA has completed the remaining 152 properties and it is expected that these will be handed over to Triathlon Homes by the end of this week.
More information about Get Living London properties
More information about Triathlon Homes properties
During the year since the end of the Paralympic Games the ODA’s development manager, Lend Lease, has been working with contractors to remove temporary games-time features and make good any damage from intensive use by 23,000 athletes and officials.
The new designer kitchens have been fitted in the space used to accommodate extra beds during the Games, with temporary partitions being removed, so creating bigger rooms.
Properties have been checked by an independent certifier to ensure they are of consistent high quality and satisfy the requirements of Get Living London and Triathlon Homes.
Mike Cornelius, the ODA’s Director of Village and Commercial, said:
“This is a huge task, the equivalent of building a small town, let alone a village. Our priority has been creating and then completing homes that people will love, to the same quality standards as the globally-acclaimed venues for the London 2012 Games. We are certain East Village will be a great place to live, and we are looking forward to first residents moving in.
“Each home was individually checked before being signed off, a process that was complex and time-consuming. We understand the eagerness of families and individuals to move in, and we are grateful for their patience while this important work has been carried out.”
Lend Lease and three key contractors are now working to complete the remaining 10 plots, with between 150 and 300 homes in each. More than 1,900 workers remain on site, including painters, electricians, plumbers, fitters and joiners. Accommodation plots will be handed over in phases between now and next spring.
Young residents of East Village will be among the students at the Chobham Academy, which is next to the N10 plot. This opened in September with 500 pupils and 100 staff. They will be joining the school on a phased basis at the start of terms and after half-term breaks, beginning in January. Also adjoining, the Sir Ludwig Guttmann Health and Wellbeing Centre, which will provide GP and pharmacy services for East Village and the wider local community, is currently being fitted out by NHS England prior to opening.
The N10 plot contains six residential blocks, named after stars: Carina House, Mimosa House, Mira House, Tucana Heights, Ursa Mansions, and Vega House. Triathlon Homes is responsible for 152 homes, including social rent, shared ownership and intermediate rent properties. Get Living London has 129 homes available for private rental.
Each of the East Village plots was designed by a different architect to ensure a variety of styles and approaches – for N10, Eric Parry Architects. Working with Lend Lease, John Sisk and Sons was responsible for construction and post-Games transformation of the plot.