London developer starts work on city’s first ‘resi-on-industrial’ airspace scheme

“Innovative” London developer Fruition Properties has started construction work on a “unique” airspace development which will deliver nine apartments above a light industrial unit at 20 Crimscott Street in Bermondsey.

Designed by “renowned” architects TP Bennett and construction architects Farrells, the development will provide a mixture of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with their own private balconies.

The existing building will be re-clad to tie in with the development above, with the provision of an updated reception space and will stay fully operational throughout construction. The scheme, known as The Printmakers, is the result of close collaboration between Fruition Properties, Southwark Council and the occupier, printing company F.E Burman.

It is said to be an “excellent example” of sustainable new development in London, preserving a longstanding privately-owned business, while also delivering “much needed” homes in the airspace above.

The construction work will see Fruition Properties use a hot rolled steel transfer structure spanning the steel structure of the existing building, and the installation of a new hot rolled and light gauge steel frame structure to the residential stair and lift core.

There will be improvements to thermal performance to the roof of the industrial unit, upgraded fire protection and the installation of water sprinklers to all of the apartments.

Parul Scampion, chief operating officer at Fruition Properties, commented: “This is a challenging development from a design and engineering perspective but demonstrates how high quality new homes can be created while preserving vital employment space.

“Airspace development provides at least one part of the solution to our housing crisis, with evolution in materials and modern methods of construction creating new opportunities.”

Construction is expected to be completed in early 2024.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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