Bow Cross, London

Client: SWAN Housing Association

Bow Cross (formerly known as Crossways Estate) is a flagship project within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Housing for Choice programme. It is a significant, long term regeneration project which includes the refurbishment of 300 existing homes and the provision of 400 new homes in a multi-phased delivery programme.

Working in partnership with the Local Authority, Swan New Homes and residents PRP supported a successful ballot transfer and completion of an outline masterplan design in 2005. Since we have progressively completed detailed reserved matters design and the construction documentation for the development as it progresses towards a target completion in 2013.

The physical profile of the site and existing infrastructure is particularly challenging. The estate is split in two by the DLR which is partially covered by a concrete box tunnel. In addition the site is bounded to the south by the District Line, split in two by the 2 proposed Crossrail Tunnels and crossed by a major trunk sewer. There are significant changes in levels to address as well as the presence of redundant, buried railway structures.

The masterplan design includes substantial new and renewed infrastructure including communal heating systems, new pedestrian routes through the estate, a direct link to the existing Bow Road DLR station platform and the construction of a new access road including a new bridge structure crossing the DLR.

The residential plan includes the full refurbishment of the three existing 22 storey residential towers, flat blocks and family housing. The proposal includes extensive external works design, remodelling levels and provision for communal facilities and play space. The new build elements within the scheme include housing, flats, a community centre and a cra¨che.