Tower Hamlets Council has approved plans to demolish a former council office building in Bethnal Green East to make way for 53 affordable homes.
Albert Jacob House, in Roman Road, will be demolished and turned into a new development of 5 to 9 stories, containing 53 homes, and five commercial units on the ground floor for local businesses.
The project is part of the council’s own home-building programme and another major development in the delivery of 4,000 new social homes for rent.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman, said:
“We are determined to meet the urgent demand for social housing in Tower Hamlets, with far too many families currently living in overcrowded or unsuitable conditions.
“This is an important project that will provide 53 much-needed social rent homes for our residents.”
The development was approved subject to planning obligations and conditions. It has been designed by Child Graddon Lewis, a RIBA Award-winning architecture practice based in London with three decades of design experience.
Christopher Gilligan, Associate, Child Graddon Lewis, said:
"The project has been a real collaborative success, with both the client and project team all striving to deliver essential affordable, sustainable, and joyful homes. The proposed building and its landscaping successfully weave themselves into the existing urban grain, really transforming the quality of the public realm experienced at street level for the benefit of new and existing neighbouring residents.
"We are particularly excited by what feels to be the jewel in the scheme, the combined landscaping, play and amenity between Albert Jacob House and Godley VC House, which creates a public space that is tranquil, safe, and welcoming for all."
Plans were approved by the Development Committee at a meeting on Thursday 26 June.
Posted on Tuesday 22nd July 2025