Development of the Year (Over 100 Homes)
Leaside Lock forms the south-west gateway to a major regeneration district at Bromley-by-Bow, delivering the first phase of a collaborative masterplan beside the station. The vision establishes a lively new destination with flexible work, community and retail uses set around a pedestrianised urban square, creating a clear front door to the wider neighbourhood and a platform for future phases.
Across several buildings, Leaside Lock provides a substantial number of new homes spanning build-to-rent and a significant proportion of affordable housing. Residents benefit from generous shared amenities, including a lounge, gym, rooftop terraces with far-reaching views and dedicated children's play areas, alongside internal and external spaces that support daily life and social interaction. The architecture takes cues from
the site's industrial heritage, the River Lea and nearby historic studios, evolving a calm, timeless residential typology. Pale green precast concrete to the taller element evokes a riverside tideline, while robust red brick to neighbouring blocks references local industry, creating a coherent but varied streetscape and a distinctive identity.
Urban design prioritises permeability and legibility, improving pedestrian movement through new streets and public spaces. A tree-lined square acts as the social heart, with community and workspaces at ground and mezzanine levels animating key routes. The layout strengthens links to the High Street and the riverside park, encouraging footfall and everyday use throughout the day.
Judges consistently praised the project's assured composition and site strategy, highlighting confident massing and a well-resolved relationship with context. They commended the quality of facades, disciplined material choices and the strength of the ground-level environments and landscaping. Several noted it as a benchmark for the wider masterplan and a distinctive townscape marker, combining generosity of communal spaces with design clarity. One judge remarked: “Leaside Lock sets a strong precedent for the wider masterplan, combining confident architectural expression with generous public and communal spaces.”
