Croydon Residential Project
S Williams Architects has been commissioned to design a £20 million, residential led project in central Croydon of approximately 113 one, two and three-bed apartments with a small retail unit, parking facilities and associated public realm. The proposals respond to the sensitive nature of the setting which includes locally listed buildings and Croydon Minster in the Old Town and an adjacent conservation area. The building is four along its edge along Cairo New Road which comprises smaller scale terraced housing and a 14 storey element that sits centrally within the site.
Sitting on the edge of the Croydon Opportunity Area, this site has the potential to meet the Borough’s ambitious housing targets. It also acts as a threshold and gateway site reconnecting the area directly with the centre of Croydon.
The buildings sit around the perimeter of the site creating a central garden for the residents. There are various existing buildings on the site that will be demolished whilst the longer term masterplan incorporates adjacent buildings to complete a more sustainable development. This includes the potential refurbishment of an adjacent Edwardian building, and the transformation of an open space in front of the building into public use.
Planning permission was granted in 2016 and the project is now on site.
I have to say that I have been very impressed by Sarah Williams and Atomik architects on this scheme. They have been professional, imaginative, thoughtful, pragmatic, positive, open-minded, polite, willing to test new ideas but also to stand their ground and have been responsive to changing circumstances. Rare! I hope they will continue to be involved through the more detailed stages and through to completion of the scheme on site.
Vincent Lacovara, Head of Placemaking team, LB Croydon