(L-R) Jonathan Jerram, Debra Richards, Lutfur Rahman, Geoff Pearce
Tower Hamlets Council and Jerram Falkus Construction have celebrated a milestone with the topping out of 62 new council homes in Bow.
The building is 100 per cent affordable new council homes, with each home being rented at social rent or Tower Hamlets living rent rates.
Arnold Road, which comprises one, two, three and four bedroom homes, including six wheelchair adaptable units in two blocks, is a key project in the delivery of the council’s commitment to build 4,000 new social homes for rent. The ground floor will feature five commercial units for local businesses.
To mark the occasion, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman completed the traditional ceremony of laying a brick on the roof of the building, signifying the completion of the structure of the block.
The Mayor said: “I am so proud to reach this significant milestone in delivering high quality, genuinely affordable homes for our community, with this modern, state-of-the-art building providing 100 per cent new Council homes for social rent and Tower Hamlets Living Rent - including large, family-sized and accessible homes.
“We are determined to meet the urgent demand for affordable housing in Tower Hamlets, with far too many families currently living in overcrowded or unsuitable conditions and topping out this development marks important progress towards our goal of delivering 4,000 new social homes for rent.
“At a time when many councils are struggling to build new council homes, and many families are being pushed out of their communities in London due to the lack of affordable, family-sized homes, Tower Hamlets is leading the way in providing safe, sustainable council housing that meets the needs of local residents—today and for generations to come.”
Jonathan Jerram, Jerram Falkus Construction, Joint Managing Director, said: “We wish to thank everyone who has been involved in the project to date and has worked so hard to get to this stage. The project has presented many challenges which we are proud to have worked collaboratively to overcome. We are proud and delighted to be here marking this achievement and construction milestone with Tower Hamlets Council.
Tower Hamlets is the fastest growing and most densely populated place in the UK, and as such, housing is a huge issue. More than 29,000 residents are on the Housing Register with many people living in overcrowded or unsuitable homes.
Historically, Tower Hamlets has a strong track record of housing delivery, and it is continuing to do this in an increasingly challenging market.
The development is a 100% affordable housing scheme being delivered by Jerram Falkus for Tower Hamlets Council. Construction commenced in December 2022 and is expected to complete by late December 2025 with a possible extension into early 2026.
The site was formerly used by the William Brinson Centre, a day centre for adults with learning disabilities, which was relocated to make way for the housing.
The development consists of 16, one-bedroom, 14, two-bedroom, 20, three-bedroom and 12, four-bedroom flats. Half of the homes will be Tower Hamlets Living Rent and the other half social rent.
Posted on Wednesday 25th June 2025