Construction works are currently underway at Ark Soane, a £52m design and build scheme for Countryside and the Department for Education. This mixed-use project will see the creation of a combined education and residential development in Acton, one of our largest construction projects in recent years.
Educational Development
LocatED Property Ltd, an arms-length body to the Department for Education, acted for the landowner and the Secretary of State for Education. Their role is to secure sites and buildings for new schools in order to deliver much-needed school places. This project is part of that effort to address the shortage of school places in the area.
The construction of two x 7-storey tower blocks and one x 12-storey tower block, reaching 70m tall, including a basement level, is taking place on the site. The ground, first and second floors will accommodate phase 2 of Ark Soane Academy, a new 1,200-place secondary school. The academy will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for students, with modern amenities and classrooms designed to encourage collaborative learning.
Residential Development
In addition to the academy, the upper levels of the towers will have 113 residential properties, with three separate townhouses also being built on the site. A large proportion of the new homes are being constructed for the Greater London joint venture between Sigma Capital Group plc, the build-to-rent specialist, and its partner EQT Exeter who are part of a global investment firm. These homes will be for the private rental market.
Once built, these 92 private rental apartments will be let and managed by Sigma Capital Group plc, under the ‘Simple Life London’ rental brand. Of the remaining homes in the new development, 21 will be affordable dwellings, managed by Network Homes, and three will be for open market sale by Countryside.
Location and Amenities
The new housing units will be conveniently situated near The Woodlands Park and Acton High Street, providing easy access to reliable transportation. The area offers an array of amenities, including shops, eateries, and entertainment options, all within close proximity to the development.
Sustainability
A sustainable energy centre utilising a Ground Source Heat Pump is also being delivered as part of the development. This will provide a renewable and low-carbon energy source for the academy and residential properties, helping to reduce their carbon footprint.
Completion Dates
Practical completion of Ark Soane Academy for the Department of Education/LocatED is expected to be achieved by Summer 2023. The residential dwellings for Countryside are due to reach completion by Autumn 2023.
We are very proud to be delivering this major mixed-use project, which will provide much-needed school places and high-quality homes for the Acton area. We look forward to seeing the project reach completion and being able to hand over a scheme that will benefit the local community for many years to come.
About Jerram Falkus
This project is an example of our commitment to delivering large-scale projects that are of social and economic benefit to local communities and the wider region. Jerram Falkus has a track record of delivering high-quality education and residential development projects, and our team of professionals is committed to providing the same level of service to this project.
Our expertise ranges from designing and building residential properties to constructing educational facilities. If you’re looking for an established construction company to help with your construction projects, get in touch with us today.