JTRE London and Southwark Charities have officially broken ground on the Almshouse at 220 Blackfriars Road development in London SE1.
The ceremony, attended by Deputy Mayor of London Tom Copley, marked the start of construction for 64 high-quality, 100% affordable Almshouses, a charity hub and community centre.
Tom Copley said: “It will deliver 64 high-quality homes at 100 per cent affordability for older Londoners alongside a new Charitable Hub, delivering fantastic benefits for residents and the local community.”
Continuing the Almshouse tradition
The development builds on Southwark Charities’ long-standing work supporting older residents in the borough.
Chris Wilson, CEO of Southwark Charities, said: “This site has provided homes for older people for more than two and a half centuries. Today, we build on that heritage with a development that responds to the needs of modern Londoners.”
This project follows the Stirling Prize-winning Appleby Blue as JTRE’s second major Almshouse project in nearby Bermondsey.
Supporting Southwark Charities through the development
The scheme also introduces a model where 5% of occupier rents from the office building will support the Southwark Charities Grants scheme.
Nigel Fleming, Managing Director at JTRE London, said: “By delivering not just an Almshouse but 220,000 sq ft of Grade A office space we are also able to help contribute to Southwark Charities’ longstanding work, with 5% of the annual office rent going to their Grants scheme.”
This development ensures that the spirit of Old Blackfriars continues to thrive in a modern, inclusive environment.
