Portobello Square – Ardmore Construction Ltd appointed

Catalyst Housing Ltd and its private developer arm, Catalyst by Design, have appointed Ardmore Construction Ltd as the main contractor for Portobello Square – the first phase of the Wornington Green Estate regeneration project.  Work will start in January 2012.

Griff Marshalsay, director of Catalyst by Design, comments, “From an outstanding short list, choosing Ardmore was based on a number of criteria including their experience and expertise in building high quality mixed tenure regeneration schemes in London. We are very pleased with the selection process outcome.”

James Byrne, the Ardmore director who will be responsible for the project told us, “We are delighted with this news and the entire project team is looking forward to working with Catalyst on this unique and prestigious contract.”

The Wornington Green Estate is owned and managed by Catalyst Housing Ltd. Over a number of phases, Catalyst plans to undertake a full redevelopment of the Estate which is situated at the northern end of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, bounded by Portobello Road to the West, the main Paddington/West Country railway line to the North and Golborne Road to the South.

Phase 1 will deliver 324 new mixed tenure homes – 141 for private sale, 174 affordable and 9 for shared ownership. The scheme also includes re-provision of a public park and retail units.

When complete, the regeneration will transform the existing estate into a vibrant mixed-tenure neighbourhood with new streets, a new park, shops, business space and community facilities. The development currently has planning for up to 1,000 new homes, the first of which will be ready for occupation in 2013.