Tenants found time to smile today after four years of demolition and construction on the largest housing estate in London’s East End.
Around 1,200 homes have been spruced up on Stepney’s Ocean Estate over the past four years with 800 tenants getting new kitchens and bathrooms in a £29 million refurbishment now completed.
Tower Hamlets’ mayor and housing bosses from East Thames Group had a quick look round to make sure everything was ship-shape and met tenants’ approval.
The refurbishment is just one stage in a £220m regeneration programme, which includes shops and building 819 new homes, nearly 300 for Social rent and 100 for shared ownership. Around 500 new homes have been completed so far, with another 200 being finished in the next six months.
Landscaping is being carried out in an area the size of 20 football pitches, with new roads, lighting, footpaths, outdoor seating, recycling facilities and play areas for children, as well as gardens, lawns, 376 trees and 7,000 shrubs.
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