Leisure – Haileybury

Guildmore’s vision, objectives and approach for the residential development of land at Ben Jonson Road (known as “Dame Colet Residential”) was to provide 40 social housing units and the redevelopment of Haileybury Youth Centre to bring to the community modern youth club facilities. The overall vision for the site was to provide a sustainable mixed-use development which meets community needs. Our vision responded to current conditions and future needs, with the overall aim of providing a high quality environment.

The low-rise 1960s buildings of Dame Colet Court and Haileybury Youth Centre at the junction of Ben Jonson Road and Stepney High Street were identified as suitable for higher density redevelopment to meet local demand for more housing and improved amenities. The challenges of this project included accommodating 40 new council flats and a new multi-use community and sporting facility, within a tight, urban site while respecting the adjacent Grade I Listed St Dunstan’s Church.

Haileybury Youth Centre

Our goal at Haileybury Youth Centre was to deliver world class youth facilities for the young people of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, working with the community stakeholders including the Youth Services team of London Borough of Tower Hamlets and local residents. The design of the Youth Centre was drawn up in consultation with Youth and Community Services to ensure we make the best use of the space to meet young people’s needs. The Centre will continue to be managed and staffed by the council’s Youth and Community Services.  The building is 12900ft² and is designed to BREEAM ‘very good’ standard. The aim was to continue to build on the success of the existing Haileybury Youth Centre with its varied activity programmes and to further establish itself within the immediate local community as a social venue, Youth Support Centre and ‘After School Club’.

Providing facilities that the local community really want, such as the stylish modern recording studio that has become home to many aspiring local rap artists and a new rooftop with state-of-the-art multi-use games area. The café provides healthy eating, cooking lessons with guest visits by renowned local chefs. The new Youth Centre at Dame Colet Court will bring a welcome space for the youth of the community to call their own. This new Youth Centre will assist in meeting the council’s vision of ‘A great place to live’.

Guildmore worked closely with Tower Hamlets council to make Tower Hamlets a place where people are proud to live, work and study. Ultimately it will be a Centre that the local Stepney Community will support and enjoy.

Guildmore worked closely with Tower Hamlets council to deliver on the key aspirations of the scheme, including:

  • A new multi-purpose roof top pitch
  • Arts and Music facilities
  • IT Suite
  • Sports Hall
  • Café
  • A place for young people to come and have fun
  • Light, cheerful and open atmosphere
  • Clear legibility from first point of entry
  • Allow uses and spaces to flow into one another
  • Create a sense of safety and connectivity
  • Designed to achieve BREEAM Very Good,

The Youth Centre was completed in October 2015 and is once again a focal point for the local community.

Guildmore is committed to employing local youth on apprenticeship schemes, and using local companies throughout the design and construction of the development where possible. It also took an active part in local enterprise and employment initiatives.

We at Guildmore have significant experience in working in partnership with local authorities on large construction projects and delivering a comprehensive service. We work in collaboration with our partners ensuring open communication lines throughout the project, working together to achieve a common aim.

Our diverse ranges of developments represent innovative design and environmentally responsible construction. We set standards for best practice in sustainable, ethical building design, construction and operation and we have achieved accreditations to: The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), ISO:9001. 14001 & 18001, Waste & Resource Action Programme (WRAP).