Creative Ice House Quarter

Working in partnership with the local council, Bouygues UK developed and delivered a two-phase residential and mixed use scheme integral to the regeneration of Barking town centre.

£42

million (GDV)

1500sq ft

commercial space

378

new homes

With funding from Grainger plc, and working with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in east London, Creative Ice Quarter provided new homes, commercial facilities and a space for burgeoning creative industries to thrive.

Delivered in two phases, the development involved the creation of four new buildings, providing 278 mixed-tenure homes and 15,000 sq ft of space for creative and commercial uses. From the outset Linkcity sought, together with our partners at London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (LBBD) and the GLA, to design a scheme which provided relevant and modern commercial facilities, space for local creative industries and high quality affordable new homes, with an urban design framework which enhances the traditional function of the town centre.

A Hub for Creativity

Integral to the masterplan were the elements of community infrastructure, which included affordable studio space. These were designed to promote and support the development of sustainable local creative industries, forming links between the arts, performance, design and craft-based organisations, to broaden the range of creative activity available in Barking.

Developing in a Conservation Area

The Creative Industries Quarter lies within Barking Abbey Conservation Area bound to the west by the River Roding and to the east by Abbey Road. It stands adjacent to listed heritage buildings, The Malthouse and The Granary, which date from the late 19th century and form a key part of the area’s industrial built heritage. As part of the development, Linkcity refurbished these listed buildings while they remained occupied.

Enhancing the Town Centre

Working within the constraints of the conservation area and taking careful consideration of adjacent listed buildings, we delivered a development that enhances Barking’s town centre, creating a place in keeping with local history while also providing up-to-date residential, retail and creative space surrounded by a sustainable public realm.