First residents move into Walthamstow Skyline building

The first residents have moved into their new homes in the Skyline building opposite Walthamstow Central station. Built by award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group on behalf of Waltham Forest Council, the new development comprises 91 homes and is 50 per cent affordable, including three- and four-bedroom properties for local families. 

The transformation of old vacant Council offices into one of Waltham Forest’s flagship developments is part of the aim to build more high-quality homes in the borough and improve the lives of residents. It’s the third residential building by the Waltham Forest Capital Delivery team to be completed this year, with the first phase delivering a total of 226 high-quality new homes to the borough with more than half (65 per cent) of them affordable.

New Juniper House resident, Chloe said: “I moved to Juniper House having previously lived in the area. I never thought I'd be able to afford to live in such a prime location on my own, so it's been amazing being able to make this happen. Juniper House is in the perfect location, really close to the busier town centre but also walking distance to Walthamstow Village. There's already a brilliant sense of community amongst the residents, and it's great to support local businesses and facilities Walthamstow has to offer.  Walthamstow is a great hub of activity and manages to balance the variety of city life with nature. The Wetlands, Epping Forest and the Village are all nearby and provide a great change of scene.”

Pictured above: Cllr Williams, Cllr Khan and Cllr Ashworth (centre) with officers who worked on the project.

Cllr Ahsan Khan, Waltham Forest Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “We have made good on our promise to bring more high-quality affordable housing to Waltham Forest residents at an extremely challenging financial time for councils across the country. The completion of Juniper House is a monumental achievement when interest rates are continuing to rise in the housebuilding sector. We are doing our part to tackle the housing crisis by building the right homes in the right places to help local people get on the property ladder and live close to their friends, family, and support networks.” 

Pictured above: Cllr Ahsan Khan speaking at the Juniper House completion event.

Simon Trice, Managing Director at The Hill Group comments: “We are delighted to have partnered with Waltham Forest Council to deliver these much-needed homes at Juniper House. The new residents will now be able to enjoy living in high-quality, sustainable new homes designed to provide excellent energy-efficient features and help reduce running costs. Today marks the beginning of many happy memories for the new community living at this exceptional development.”

As well as new homes, the development includes two floors that will be dedicated to part of the new University of Portsmouth campus. Expected to open in spring 2024, the expansion will bring more learning and job opportunities for residents and complement wider plans for Walthamstow as a cultural destination. 

The site also provides more facilities for families, with the development containing a 53-place pre-school nursery with its own play area, perfect for residents looking for childcare. 

The development will benefit everyone who lives, works, or visits the heart of Walthamstow by providing more green space, including a revamped pocket park at the junction of First Avenue and Hoe Street. The plans will complement the work undertaken previously on the site and will include additional planting, street furniture, and lighting to improve the public space. The project will be delivered in 2024 as part of the Walthamstow Levelling Up Programme of works. 

The building is also environmentally friendly with its low-carbon heating provided by communal air source heat pumps and solar panels, providing high levels of energy efficiency. Initiatives to improve biodiversity such as bat boxes, a ‘brown’ roof, and installations to mitigate the risk of flooding through a ‘blue’ roof and rainwater reduction mean the development will make an important difference to the local environment.

Hill began work on the site in December 2019 and completed in August 2023. Further works to put the finishing touches on the commercial spaces will continue into next year, with the opening anticipated for late 2024.