Key Points
- Hackney Council has signed a construction company Wates to construct phase 2b of the Britannia masterplan in Shoreditch.
- The move has come after the failure of the initial developer of the project, Ardmore, who went into administration in June 2024.
- Wates is expected to undertake completion of around six months of work left at the development site.
- The initial contract between Hackney Council and Ardmore was signed on 21st July 2023, when Ardmore had undertaken 36 months of work before going into administration.
- Phase 2b of the masterplan includes construction of four residential blocks, which include 290 outright sale homes to cross subsidize local amenities.
- Previous phases of the masterplan have been successful in delivering new Britannia leisure centre, City of London Academy Shoreditch Park Secondary School, and new public square.
Hackney Council (East London Times) September 1, 2026 – Hackney Council has officially appointed construction company Wates to complete phase 2b of the Britannia masterplan after the previous contractor, Ardmore, entered administration. Official council documents confirm that Wates will take over the project to carry out an estimated six months of outstanding construction work necessary to bring the residential phase of the scheme to completion.
The local authority operates as the direct developer for the site, using the construction and sale of private homes to fund wider community infrastructure in the borough. The contract with Ardmore originally commenced on 21 July 2023. Ardmore had been actively developing four new housing blocks situated on the footprint of the former Britannia Leisure Centre for 36 months prior to its financial collapse in June.
Why is phase 2b central to the wider regeneration project?
The overall Britannia masterplan represents one of the largest council-led developments in the London Borough of Hackney. While earlier stages of the scheme have been successfully completed, the final residential elements remain unfinished due to the unexpected insolvency of the primary contractor.
Phase one of the masterplan delivered several major public infrastructure projects, including the replacement Britannia Leisure Centre, the City of London Academy Shoreditch Park secondary school, and new surrounding public realm alongside a civic square. To fund these public facilities and additional affordable housing, the local authority structured the financial strategy around commercial property sales on the site.
As highlighted in official council reports, because the council is acting directly as the developer, the delivery of 290 outright-sale homes was specifically intended to help cross-subsidise the capital costs of the completed leisure centre, the secondary school, and associated affordable housing units built within the broader masterplan.
How will Wates complete the remaining construction work?
With Wates stepping in to replace Ardmore, the primary focus shifts to completing the remaining building work across the four housing blocks. According to council documentation, Wates will manage the final six months of construction to ensure the structural integrity, fitting, and safety compliance of the residential units meet required standards.
The transition to a new main contractor requires Wates to assess the existing work carried out by Ardmore, manage existing supply chains where feasible, and complete the fit-out of the 290 homes. Hackney Council’s decision to appoint Wates aims to minimize further delays to the completion timeline and secure the financial return planned from the property sales.
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Background of the Britannia masterplan development
The Britannia masterplan was initiated by Hackney Council as a multi-phase regeneration project in Shoreditch designed to replace aging community infrastructure with modern facilities. The overarching strategy relied on a municipal developer model, wherein the local council directly managed the build process and leveraged private residential sales to fund non-profit civic facilities.
Under the initial stages of the project, the council successfully oversaw the opening of the new state-of-the-art Britannia Leisure Centre and the establishment of the City of London Academy Shoreditch Park. These facilities were constructed alongside expanded public open space to serve local residents.
The residential phase, designated as phase 2b, was contracted to Ardmore on 21 July 2023. The scope of work encompassed four distinct residential blocks containing 290 open-market homes. After 36 months of construction activity on the former leisure centre site, Ardmore entered administration in June, forcing a temporary cessation of works and prompting Hackney Council to procure a replacement contractor to finish the project.
What does this development mean for local residents and home buyers?
The appointment of Wates to complete the Britannia masterplan directly impacts local residents, property buyers, and the broader Hackney community in several key ways:
- Prospective Home Buyers: Individuals waiting to purchase or move into the 290 outright-sale homes gain clarity on the project timeline, with an estimated six months of construction remaining to bring the properties to market.
- Local Taxpayers and Council Services: Completing the residential build allows Hackney Council to realise the planned revenue from property sales. This financial return is designated to offset the municipal costs incurred from building the new leisure centre, local school, and affordable housing options.
- Shoreditch Community Members: The swift takeover by Wates reduces the risk of a prolonged, derelict construction site in the neighbourhood, ensuring that the surrounding public realm, footpaths, and community integration outlined in the masterplan can be fully realised.
