Higgins Construction regenerating Market Estate

Higgins Construction PLC has been appointed as the main construction partner for Southern Housing Group regeneration of Market Estate in Islington.

Higgins Construction PLC has been appointed as the main construction partner for Southern Housing Group's ambitious GBP35 million regeneration of the notorious Market Estate in the London Borough of Islington.

This is the estate where one of its youth workers Jazmin Dervish of the Groundwork scheme stated that drug dealing, prostitution, vehicle theft and violence are daily realities in what she calls 'almost a war zone'.

The regeneration project involves extensive pre-construction planning for the staged demolition of all the deck-access multi-storey properties, beginning in December, before completely rebuilding the entire estate over five years with a minimum external decant of the residents.

This is expected to involve complex part-demolition stages reaching into some of the 270 households' existing gardens and a public park.

The rebuild will create 278 new homes, of which 30 will be for shared ownership.

Flats will make up most (239) of the homes in blocks rising to five storeys, whilst 39 units are designed as houses.

Ten properties will also be built for rent as commercial units.

A local labour initiative is being developed now for the supply chain by Higgins' resident liaison team, ahead of the construction.

HTA Architects are the design consultants working to a concept already developed by the client, which will certainly preserve the estate's elaborate 47 metres-high listed Victorian clock tower.

Also confirmed in the supply chain so far are:.

* QS and employers agent - Philip Park Partnership.

* Structural and civil engineers - Tully De'Ath.

* Mechanical engineers - ECC.

The Market Estate was transferred this year to Southern Housing Group, which manages affordable homes in over 50 local authority areas.

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