Newham's fully affordable later living scheme Noele Gordon House opens

Populo is happy to have officially opened Noele Gordon House, which we delivered for Newham as the borough’s first affordable later-living facility.

At the event, Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz and Populo CEO Deborah Heenan, welcomed residents, the consultants who helped deliver the building and local councillors and representatives, including East Ham MP Sir Stephen Timms.  

Built on the vacant site of a disused community centre, Noele Gordon House includes 75 high-quality homes - 55 one- and 20 two-bedroom apartments, with the two bedroom apartments offering space for carers or family to stay overnight. The homes are offered at London Affordable Rents for existing council tenants, or less if their current rent is lower, meaning the project represents a major milestone in the council’s commitment to address housing needs for older residents while freeing up under-occupied homes.

Residents can also benefit from the ground floor state-of-the-art NHS health centre, a welcome facility for the area. 

Later living best practice  

Appointed by Populo Living, Mae Architects undertook the building’s design, embracing the Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) principles to create a space that promotes well-being, independence and community for residents aged 55 and over.  

The design prioritises social connectivity, combatting loneliness and promoting community with a communal residents’ lounge and a rooftop terrace. These spaces foster a sense of belonging among residents, many of whom are downsizing from larger council-managed homes, leaving behind family and friend networks. All flats benefit from balconies with views of either the surrounding streetscape or the inner terrace, giving residents access to both communal and private outdoor amenity space.  

With the number of people aged 65-79 expected to increase by nearly a third in the next 40 years*, NGH addresses many issues around later living housing, both personally around isolation and community, and for the council in freeing up under-occupied family housing stock. As an affordable scheme, NGH reflects Newham’s policy ambitions to improve later living housing and provide more and better quality affordable homes. As such it is an exemplar of what a forward-thinking local authority can achieve, especially when delivered by its own property company with profits reinvested in housing.  

The project’s successful delivery underscores Populo Living’s expertise in managing complex housing initiatives that align with Newham’s broader housing strategy, as designed by Mae and constructed by main contractor Hill Group. 

Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said: “Noele Gordon House is a landmark development for Newham, reflecting my administration’s unwavering commitment to providing affordable, high-quality housing tailored to the needs of older Newham residents. By prioritising community, accessibility, and sustainability, this scheme sets a new standard for later living accommodation in London. 

“What’s more, Noele Gordon House exemplifies how local authorities and their partners can address the evolving housing needs of diverse populations. By delivering purpose-built, affordable homes for older residents, Newham is paving the way for smarter housing strategies that maximise community resources and promote intergenerational equity.” 

Deborah Heenan, CEO of Populo Living, said: “We’re proud of our role in delivering Noele Gordon House for Newham, on time and on budget and all affordable homes. Populo has now built several 100 homes for Newham residents with a pipeline of 1,000s more, and continues to work to create innovative solutions that address our national housing crisis. Noele Gordon House reflects this commitment to doing ‘housing’ better, bringing warm, high-quality and appropriate later living homes to the market.”  

The building’s name pays tribute to East Ham-born TV star Noele Gordon, celebrated for her iconic role as Meg Mortimer in Crossroads, among a career of accomplishments, including being the first woman to interview a Prime Minister. Noele's legacy of breaking barriers resonates with the ethos of this innovative development and the spirit of East Ham’s residents.  

Stakeholders involved in the delivery 

The transformation of the former Hartley Centre into Noele Gordon House is the culmination of a five-year process involving a multidisciplinary team contracted by Populo, made up of leading industry professionals.: 

Engineering: Alan Baxter Associates 

Contractor: Hill Group 

Cost and Project Management: Currie & Brown 

Planning: Planning Potential 

Consultants: Synergy