2023: A Year in Review

Populo Living has hit major milestones in the past year! We successfully launched Plaistow Hub, our largest development with 182 homes, and are close to completing 98 affordable homes at The Brickyard. We also introduced the borough's first later living development at Noele Gordon House.

We are managing 475 homes, 51% of which are new affordable homes, and with 392 more under construction, we are making a huge impact on Newham’s housing delivery strategy. Our homes' quality has gained widespread recognition, and Inside Housing's recent findings indicate that we are set to complete the largest number of new homes in the next five years by a council-owned housing company.

Here are just some of the milestones we’re proud to have achieved this year:

Valetta Grove


Interior of a Bedroom at Valetta Grove

In October, families moved into Valetta Grove, part of the Plaistow Hub, featuring 82 rental homes. Full occupancy is on the horizon. The London Road building, offering 100 homes across 23 floors, which offers panoramic views of the City and Canary Wharf, with residents set to move in by January next year.

The Didsbury 'Highly Commended' at inaugural BTR Awards!

In November, Populo Living's 'The Didsbury' development was highly commended in the ‘Best Build to Rent Development’ award at the inaugural Love to Rent BTR awards. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the industry, highlighting the remarkable success and unwavering professionalism within this sector. Read more...

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Shikhar, a resident at The Didsbury for over a year, to discuss his thoughts and experiences about the moving-in process. Watch the interview below:

Progress on site:

Mayor marks the topping out of Newham's first later living development




Latest progress on Noele Gordon House, seen from Barking Road

In June, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz marked the 'topping out' at Noele Gordon House, set to provide 75 high-quality later-living council homes for Newham residents over 55, along with a new health centre. Named after soap star Noele Gordon, the development aims to offer manageable homes and supportive communal spaces. 

Carpenters Estate gets a new lease of life and colour

The Carpenters' 'Meanwhile Use' initiative springs to life with vibrant play area makeovers, new benches outside The Dovetail, and a stunning 40ft community mural. Stay tuned for the selection of a contractor for the First Meanwhile Development: Central Green and Southern MUGA in the coming months. Read more...

300 Affordable Homes in Airspace Programme


CGI of Folkestone Road

We've proposed the first phase of a Airspace programme to potentially deliver up to 300 genuinely affordable new homes. Plans include 28 new homes at London Affordable Rent, built on existing Council-owned buildings, alongside a £12 million investment for energy-efficient upgrades and community enhancements. Exciting developments ahead for Folkestone Road and Vicarage Lane!

Green light for over 500 new homes!


CGI of Pier Road, North Woolwich

We're ending the year strongly with the news that the Newham Strategic Development Committee greenlit the construction of 565 new homes at Pier Road and Cyprus in the south of the borough. These projects, representing 14% of the council's housing target by 2026, will transform brownfield land into homes, parks, green space, and affordable makerspaces, driving regeneration and providing essential housing.

The year ahead…

We're gearing up for busy 2024 at Populo! With over 300 new homes and commercial spaces at Plaistow Hub, The Brickyard, and Town Hall Annexe set to be completed, along with the exciting start of construction on the Carpenters regeneration at James Riley Point. Not to mention the green light for 500 new homes at Cyprus and Pier Road, sparking vital regeneration in the south of the borough. It's going to be a year of transformation and progress!