Grand Union Phase 1

The overall scheme, which will be delivered over five phases, will provide new apartment homes with 11 acres of extensive public open space comprising a plaza, informal garden spaces, a water feature, canalside pathways and waterside meadows. Residents will enjoy roof gardens, terraces and community gardens.

Randall Thorp’s commission for the first phase included refining existing designs for the external public and private areas to provide detailed landscape layouts for planning. Our responsibilities extended to coordinating the technical details, working closely with co-consultants BDP, Patrick Parsons and Cooper Homewood to produce a comprehensive landscape construction package. The project includes podium and numerous roof gardens, requiring close co-operation with the design team to ensure the structural requirements of the building are sensitively accommodated within the design.

A prominent part of this scheme was integrating a permanent canal boat as a focal point within the landscape. This presented a unique set of challenges and required meticulous planning and consideration over placement, planting styles and maintenance. Coordination with consultants to overcome logistical hurdles resulted in a feature which conveys a harmonious balance between biodiversity, local heritage and art for the community to enjoy. The end result is a testament to the creativity and determination of the project team.

This phase of the project is now complete and it’s been rewarding to see the scheme evolve from sketch to reality.

Randall Thorp has been appointed to Grand Union Phase 2, in which the scheme continues along the canal and joins the river brent, creating new recreational routes for the local community.