Mid-market house builder HUB has welcomed the Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales to the topping out of its Hoola development in Royal Victoria Dock, as the landmark scheme rapidly approaches completion.
Sir Robin was the guest of honour at the ceremony, trowelling on the final bit of concrete on the 23rd floor of the development.
Hoola, named after its distinctive hoop design, is HUB’s second project to be topped out this month after the Rehearsal Rooms in North Acton, which housing minister Brandon Lewis attended.
Designed by renowned architects CZWG Architects LLP, Hoola will see the previously disused half acre site at the gateway to the Royal Docks transformed into two glass-clad towers featuring 360 studio, one, two and three bedroom flats.
Newham Council granted planning permission in February 2014, with work by main contractor Carillion starting in July of the same year.
The layout of Hoola has prioritised the quality of internal space, while giving each apartment a full width balcony. On-site shared facilities include a residents’ lounge, gymnasium, and a business lounge, as well as communal gardens and play spaces outside. The landscaped ‘hill’ on which the towers and gardens are based will conceal car parking and cycle spaces.
External green and blue roofs have also been developed to manage surface water run off and storage, while energy sharing agreements with nearby landmarks have also been agreed.
The Royal Docks are set to undergo significant regeneration in the coming years, with an investment of £1 billion in the new Asian Business Port at the nearby Royal Albert Dock.
The area will also benefit from the arrival of Crossrail in 2018 bringing the area to within ten minutes of Central London.
Steve Sanham, development director at HUB Residential, said: “HUB will never be just another developer building identikit homes for sale, and at Hoola I think we have proven that, by creating a beautifully designed building with genuine green credentials. Hoola will represent a step change in quality for this part of London.”
Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said: “Hoola is an exciting scheme which will bring life and activity into a piece of land which was previously derelict. This development is leading the way both in its innovative design and green credentials. The regeneration of the historic Royal Docks is coming and this is the start of area’s new era as a business and residential heart for London.”