Highbury Gardens, a major new mixed-tenure scheme in Islington reached a construction milestone last Thursday.  Urban regeneration company, First Base, joined contractors Mansell, Southern Housing Group and the HCA, to mark the ‘topping out’ ceremony on the roof of the new development.

The frame of the new £29 million scheme is now in place thanks to Atlantic Contractors and Hillcrest Structural Limited. Mansell has now also taken delivery of the first modular bathroom pods on to the site. The pods, constructed by First Base supply chain partners, Off Site Solutions, represent the modern construction methods deployed in all First Base developments to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of high quality homes.

Ed Morgan, Managing Director – London Special Projects, Mansell said: “The day is a real milestone in the delivery of this exciting and essential regeneration project for North London. From the point of ground breaking in February this year, we’ve made tremendous progress thanks to the collective effort of our suppliers and the support of First Base, Southern Housing Group and the HCA.”

Once complete, Highbury Gardens will provide 119 one, two and three bedroom homes, including 62 homes for key workers being delivered with the HCA . Designed by internationally renowned architect Porphyrios Associates, the scheme is set to revive the traditional London mansion block concept with a modern architectural twist. It will include a private landscaped garden and a number of sustainability features to reach a minimum Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 for each home, while also meeting industry standard Secured by Design.

Elliot Lipton, Managing Director, First Base said: “This development is a vital contribution to the capital’s housing needs which can only be tackled through close partnerships and joint expertise from the private and public sectors. In Mansell, Southern Housing and the HCA we have a team of partners committed to delivering superior homes for a variety of needs.

“I’m extremely proud that we’ve been able to maintain our commitment to the delivery of affordable housing in London under such strained economic conditions. And I’m confident that this development which combines superior architectural design, sensitive to its surroundings, with modern methods of construction will be a huge asset to the local community.”

Dale Meredith, Development Director of Southern Housing Group, who will own 57 of the 119 homes says: “This important local scheme is being constructed on land originally acquired by the HCA and developed through a public/private partnership. We hope it will be a good example of how similar concepts such the Public Sector Land Initiative will be able to continue to deliver high quality mixed tenure homes into future”.

Completion of the project is expected in summer 2011.