Case Study: CRAFT MEWS

by Denis Gleeson, Director at Gleeson Build & Develop.

Craft Mews is a unique infill urban development in Leyton, East London. Gleeson Build & Develop bought the site with planning for 8 flats and demolition of the existing 19 garages commenced in December 2019. Completion is expected in February 2021.

The development is designed in the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style, made famous by Walthamstow native William Morris. The development utilises premium quality brick and clay tiles on steep pitched roofs, a classic hallmark of ‘Arts and Crafts’ style properties. Premium quality materials will also be used internally to ensure that the development stands out from competing schemes nearby. 

The kitchens will benefit from quartz work surfaces and contrasting gloss and matt cupboards to complement a walnut flooring. Qandor affiliate Ocean Bathrooms have designed and supplied the bathrooms and high-quality fixtures, with fittings from Hansgrohe and Duravit. Gleeson Build & Develop completed a similar development in 2018 (Cameron Court, in East London) so we were fully aware of the challenges we would face, building in a residential cul-de-sac on a site with limited space. 

Such sites require careful consideration of onsite material management and deliveries, smart phasing of the superstructure works, and continual and clear liaison with the local community. 

Unsurprisingly, Covid 19 is the biggest challenge we have faced to date. We have had to reduce numbers onsite and have seen delays in procuring key materials, which has resulted in overall delays to completion. A 12-month programme has now become a 14-month programme which, when considering the scale of the challenges faced, is not a bad outcome should we complete on time.

We have decided to market this development off-plan and the launch took place in mid-September. In the past, we have chosen to market our developments only when fully completed. However, we currently find ourselves in a dynamic market which, together with the stamp duty holiday and Help to Buy Scheme, means demand is currently very high for properties of the type we are constructing. We are hoping that these market conditions will allow us to realise strong sales at Craft Mews. Some lessons will undoubtedly be learned as we proceed with off-plan sales.

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