7th May 2025
Sanctuary
Sanctuary welcomed the Mayor of Tower Hamlets and representatives of the Greater London Authority to Blackwall Reach to celebrate an important milestone in the regeneration scheme.
The demolition of the last building at Robin Hood Gardens marks the latest stage in the long-term project and partnership between the three organisations to deliver over 1,500 new homes for local people.
Guests were given a progress tour of the site where the housing block is being demolished to pave the way for the building of further much-needed affordable new homes for local people. Demolition work is being carried out by Sanctuary’s contractor Keltbray.
To date, more than 600 homes have been created, of which 214 were allocated for social rent.
The overall regeneration will deliver more than 1,500 new homes, of which over 500 will be available for local people to rent as part of the council’s commitment to social housing provision and 44 will be family-sized homes to help address overcrowding.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “This regeneration scheme is about providing affordable homes for local people at a time when they are needed the most.
“But Blackwall Reach is also about creating a community with the services and opportunities residents need to thrive. Through our partnership, we’re making sure people have access to good quality homes, local amenities, and a neighbourhood where they can build a better future.”
Peter Martin, Group Managing Director - Asset Strategy and Development for Sanctuary, commented: “This marks another key stage in this important project, which is delivering much-needed affordable homes for the borough at a critical time in the housing crisis.
“The development has created a place that people want to live and work through the provision of high-quality housing, local retail and community facilities, bringing people together and supporting the local economy.
“We thank our partners and colleagues who have worked together on this complex regeneration programme and look forward to delivering more new homes while providing jobs for local people.”
Deputy Mayor for Housing, Tom Copley, added: “This is a significant milestone in the regeneration of Blackwall Reach to provide new genuinely affordable and social homes for residents.
“The Mayor of London has invested in this joint scheme with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to deliver the high quality, energy efficient and affordable housing that Londoners desperately need, as we build a better, greener, fairer London for everyone."
Sanctuary is delivering the Blackwall Reach regeneration project as part of a long-term collaboration with joint landowners Tower Hamlets Borough Council and Greater London Authority.
The scheme is improving the lives of local residents by providing new homes, shops, open space and other infrastructure in a modern, attractive and sustainable setting across eight hectares.
The project has already provided new community facilities including a replacement mosque and generated funding to redevelop and expand the local Woolmore Primary School.
