Blakeney Leigh were commissioned by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to carry out a feasibility study to convert the former office building at 401 Mile End Road into temporary housing accommodation units for those with housing needs. After providing an array of op-tions and budget estimates the client settled on a scheme of 15 self-contained dwellings. After planning permission has been achieved, we prepared tender documents and provided all pro-fessional services through to completion. The contractor started on site in September 2020 and completed in July 2021 to the satisfaction of all parties.

The scheme comprised of internal and external reconfigurations, refurbishment and upgrades to accommodate the new use, including landscaping. The scheme represented challenges in that the building is located on Mile End Road, was occupied by guardians and with limited access until contractor possession for detailed design, and security risks due to the potential for squatting in a high profile building, all of which were dealt with and overcome successfully throughout the project.