Iconic London development sparkles at design awards

With a “landscape as bubbly as a can of pop”, the iconic Barking Central development in East London has picked up its second prestigious Housing Design award.

Brought to life by developer Redrow from the vision created by architects and masterplanners Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the Barking regeneration project was a winner in the completed designs category.

The prize follows a previous Housing Design accolade for phase one of the development in 2005 and several other major awards since.

This latest award comes during the final chapter in a hugely successful regeneration story that has included more than 500 residential apartments, as well as prime retail space, a new state of the art library and lifelong learning centre, a Travelodge hotel and the unique feature of a specially created arboretum planted with 40 mature trees. The latter was designed by Muf Architecture/Art and is an integral part of a new public realm which is larger than Trafalgar Square.

With construction officially completed in May – and the final phase of apartments released for sale - Barking Central has already become the focal point of the town centre and was said by judges to have a “landscape as bubbly as a can of pop”.

Described by those same judges as the scheme’s ‘landmark’, The Lemonade Building is a 17-storey block of 136 apartments, so-called because it is close to the spot where R-Whites Lemonade was once manufactured.

The apartments enjoy panoramas of the city and judges said they were “popular for a mix of competitive pricing and views best enjoyed from recessed balconies big enough to eat on.”

John Ireland, regional managing director for Redrow Homes, said: “Barking Central is a striking development, designed for modern urban living, with a blend of exciting public spaces and high specification residential apartments.

“We are delighted that it has been recognised once again for its design excellence and hope that residents will enjoy this fantastic environment for many years to come. We look forward to welcoming future residents to the Lemonade Building, where apartments are still available.”

Paul Monaghan, director of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, said: “Barking Central is one of the most successful regeneration projects in the UK, which has been greeted with tremendous enthusiasm by the local community. The local authority, developer and design team overcame many challenges to create a scheme that symbolizes the regeneration of this Thames Gateway town and we are very proud that the project has been recognised with its second Housing Design Award.”

Cllr Mick McCarthy, cabinet member for regeneration for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, said: "Barking Central has won several awards over the last five years, which is a testament to the benefits which it has brought to the town centre. The whole development has been well designed, properly thought through and finished off to a very high standard.”

Barking Central's previous awards include the project category in the Housing Design Awards 2005, local authority category at the British Construction Industry Awards 2008 and the 2008 prize for best urban public space in Europe. Most recently the Town Square was named the Best New Public Space at the 2010 London Planning Awards.

Apartments within The Lemonade Building are currently priced from £161,000 for a one-bedroom apartment on the eighth floor. For more information visit: barkingcentral.com