The ceremony marked a key stage in the delivery of 46 affordable homes on a technically complex infill site in the London Borough of Southwark.
Guildmore Group and Hexagon Housing Association marked the topping out of their affordable housing scheme on Old Kent Road on Monday, celebrating a key milestone in the delivery of 46 much-needed homes in the London Borough of Southwark.
Located on a constrained infill site along Old Kent Road, a busy commercial thoroughfare in South East London, the scheme sits directly above the route of the planned Bakerloo Line extension. This added significant technical complexity to the project, with the foundations redesigned to respond to the future rail infrastructure beneath the site. Close coordination with Hexagon, TfL and specialist designers was required to address noise, vibration and tunnel protection requirements.
Monday’s topping out ceremony brought together representatives from Hexagon Housing Association, Southwark Council, Martin Arnold and Guildmore to recognise the collaboration that has helped bring the scheme to this stage.
The ceremony included speeches from Jennifer Currier, Interim Director of Development at Hexagon Housing Association, and Engin Ertosun, CEO of Guildmore Group. Sheron Carter, CEO of Hexagon Housing Association, also took part in the traditional topping out ceremony, placing the final trowel of mortar to mark the completion of the building’s main structure.
Engin Ertosun, CEO of Guildmore Group, said:
“Reaching this milestone is a real credit to everyone involved in the project. It reflects the strength of the partnership between Guildmore and Hexagon, and the commitment shown by the wider team in bringing the scheme forward. Congratulations to all those who have helped get the project to this stage. We are proud to be working with Hexagon to deliver much-needed new homes for the local community here in Southwark.”
With the structure now topped out, the scheme moves into its next phase as works continue towards completion.