East Wick + Sweetwater is a long-term joint venture between Places for People and Balfour Beatty Investments, transforming former industrial land at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park into a mixed-tenure apartment neighbourhood. The scheme blends homes with schools, nurseries, community spaces and commercial uses, while knitting the park to Hackney Wick and Fish Island. Delivery is phased over time, with completed homes and new stages underway. The Clarnico Club acts as a social hub, combining a cafe with flexible space for events and neighbourhood activity.
Architecturally, the apartments take cues from local industrial heritage, using subtle brickwork, varied massing and a distinctive steel-framed expression to achieve a confident, contextual identity. Internal layouts are designed for clarity and everyday
practicality, with an emphasis on light, outlook and circulation that supports liveable, well-planned homes.
Placemaking is anchored by everyday amenities, including a nursery, fitness studios and a dentist, complemented by workspace and retail that encourage local enterprise. The Clarnico Club and an anchor coffee shop help foster a sociable, inclusive neighbourhood culture. A dedicated social investment fund supports local businesses to deliver community benefit and embed the project within its setting.
Sustainability is embedded across design and delivery, including carbon-conscious homes, responsible construction with very high diversion from landfill, and a strong landscape strategy. Communal gardens, multifunctional open space and biodiverse planting are integrated with streets and courtyards, while active travel is encouraged through extensive cycle provision and pedestrian-friendly public realm.
Judges consistently praised the project for its social purpose, high-quality placemaking and architectural response to context. They highlighted the thoughtful use of brick and varied forms, the strength of the apartment planning and outdoor spaces, the depth of sustainability performance from building to construction, and the comprehensive community investment. Collectively, these qualities were seen as creating a genuine new neighbourhood with lasting local benefit. One judge remarked: “This ambitious regeneration project exemplifies large-scale development at its most socially conscious, transforming a former industrial site into a thriving residential district.”
