JJ Rhatigan has secured a £32m contract for the first phase of redevelopment works at the former London Chest Hospital site in Bethnal Green, after beating competition from Lovell, Graham and Formation Design & Build in a four-way tender process.
The design and build contract covers the construction of two residential blocks delivering 76 affordable homes, together with associated landscaping works. The client, Bonner Road LLP, is linked to Clarion Housing Group development arm Latimer.
Construction is due to begin following contract signing on 1 June, with the programme scheduled to run through to February 2031.
The first phase forms part of Latimer’s wider redevelopment proposals for the former hospital estate, which will provide 274 homes overall, with 50% affordable housing measured by habitable room. The initial homes are understood to be primarily for social rent, forming a central element of the affordable housing provision across the scheme.
Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the masterplan includes the restoration of the Grade II-listed main hospital building, the Sanitary Tower and the South Wing, all of which currently appear on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
In addition to the refurbishment of the historic buildings, the development will introduce five new residential buildings ranging from five to nine storeys in height, alongside 125 sq m of community space.
The plans will also reopen the former hospital grounds to the public for the first time in nearly a decade. Public realm proposals include 1,140 sq m of open space, a new public square off St James’ Avenue and restoration of the site’s formal lawn.
The scheme also retains the veteran Mulberry tree, reputed to be the oldest tree in the East End, preserving it in its existing location.
