Square Roots Lewisham Scoops Gold for Best Starter Home

Affordable provider Square Roots won gold for the best starter home at the Oscars of the housebuilding industry – the WhatHouse? Awards 2024.

Just three years on from being established by London Square, Square Roots scooped the top accolade for Square Roots Lewisham, a stylish development of 100 per cent affordable homes forming a new riverside quarter and playing a key part in the transformation of the town centre.

The award was presented  to Square Roots managing director Barbara Richardson and estate manager Amanda Lockwood by actor James Nesbitt in front of 1,300 industry professionals at a glittering gala lunch at the  Grosvenor House hotel in London’ Park Lane.

For over 40 years, the WhatHouse? Awards have been the premier platform for recognising excellence in UK housebuilding. Judged by a distinguished panel of industry experts, these awards celebrate the very best in the sector, with thorough evaluations, site visits where required, and rigorous assessments leading to the selection of winners.

The judges report stated: “Square Roots stands out as a premier developer for its thoughtful approach to first-time buyers and sustainable living at its Lewisham development. This 141-apartment scheme offers flexible, low-deposit options and an impressive range of one- to three-bedroom units, with 57 different layouts catering to diverse needs and choice.

“The development's modern, contemporary design exudes quality, both inside and out, creating a welcoming and stylish environment. Sustainability is at the heart of this development.  Additionally, the project has partnered with London Waterways to enhance the River Ravensbourne.

“Promoting a car-free lifestyle, the development offers secure cycle storage and excellent public transport links. Square Roots has also fostered a sense of community through resident events and thoughtful amenities, such as a private children's play area. Every detail, from high-quality finishes to safety-conscious landscaping, has been meticulously delivered, making it a truly gold-standard development.”

Barbara Richardson, Managing Director, Square Roots, said: “This is the third major award for Square Roots, following on from earlier accolades for our sites at Kingston and Lewisham. We are committed to building the highest quality homes where people will choose to live and we are delighted to receive such an outstanding endorsement from the WhatHouse? Awards judges.”

Square Roots was established as an independent housing provider by award-winning developer London Square in 2021 and became a Registered Provider in 2022 - its first schemes in Kingston  have also won major awards. 

Housing provider Square Roots has 1,800 homes under construction and in the pipeline. In less than two years since becoming an independent registered provider, Square Roots has generated more starts on site this year than any other for-profit registered provider in London and in line with growth aspirations.  By the end of 2024,  Square Roots will have 437 high quality affordable homes under ownership/management at award-winning developments at Kingston and Lewisham, and its latest development at Hendon. Square Roots aims to have 3,500 homes under construction and/or ownership by the end of 2029.

The affordable provider has to date committed over £437m of  institutional investment.  

Working with the Mayor of London , as an investment partner of GLA, Square Roots has secured grant funding of over £150m for projects, as part of the Homes for Londoners Affordable Homes Programme. The funding is being used to deliver 1,527 high quality affordable homes, a mix of shared ownership, affordable rent and social rent, in the London Boroughs of Bexley, Lewisham, Kingston, Southwark, Waltham Forest and Barnet, with an active planning pipeline across Greater London.

There are one, two and three bedroom apartments available at Square Roots Lewisham, starting from £102,500 for a 25% minimum share.  For more details, contact the sales team on 0333 666 4747.