Architect
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Developer
Redrow Regeneration
Contractor
Ardmore
Planning Authority
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
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Barking Central is a major phased programme of redevelopment due to complete in 2010, by which time it will offer something new to everyone: new learning and resource centre, new retail, new public square, new hotel and new market sale and affordable housing. The first phase of two-storey apartment blocks framing a series of outdoor spaces over an existing library was completed in November 2007, four months ahead of schedule in spite of hiccups such as the replacement of the original developer Urban Catalyst.
Judges enjoyed the landscaping of the communal areas, especially the new square between the access to the reinvented library, created by landscape architects muf, regular collaborators with the scheme architect. There was a powerful sense that a new neighbourhood was being shaped here and the judges look forward to returning when more is in place. In the meantime, they commend you to see the emerging success story for yourself.