United St. Saviour’s Charity celebrates milestone in its history with launch of brand new almshouses in partnership with JTRE London

Southwark-based United St Saviour’s Charity is marking a significant milestone in its history with the launch of 57 brand new almshouses – genuinely affordable homes for the borough’s residents over the age of 60.

With its roots in the reign of Henry VIII, United St Saviour’s Charity has worked to support the people and communities of north Southwark for almost 500 years, tackling social need through its grant making programme and almshouses. The 57 new almshouses this development is creating will add to the existing 74 spread over two other sites held by the Charity.

The project is being developed by JTRE London, the UK branch of one of central Europe’s leading property developers, which shares the Charity’s desire for exceptional housing. It is facilitating the construction as part of the requirement to provide affordable housing alongside its own larger development on Southbank, Triptych Bankside.

Located in the heart of Bermondsey on Southwark Park Road, the new almshouses will provide modern, independent sheltered housing fit for the 21st Century. They will be a benchmark in the way society considers sheltered housing, from both the innovative design and quality of the build, to the way it supports the quality of life of those who make it their home.

Officially named Appleby Blue Almshouse in a nod to one of the charity’s earliest benefactors, Dorothy Appleby, and to the colour associated with Bermondsey’s heritage, it is the Charity’s vision that the development be a true community resource. More than a place to live, all generations, backgrounds and abilities will be able to come together to use its spaces and facilities capable of hosting a range of events and projects.

Photographer: Eve Milner

Martyn Craddock, CEO of United St Saviour’s, said: “The launch of Appleby Blue Almshouse is a hugely exciting day for us, marking the beginning of an important new chapter in our history which has been years in the planning. Our aim is to provide exceptional housing for Southwark’s older people and to demonstrate the positive contribution that older people bring to the community and place they live. It is a true legacy for future generations and we are incredibly proud of it.”

In keeping with the visionary nature of the development, it has been designed by award-winning, east London-based architects, Witherford Watson Mann. Taking the best aspects of traditional almshouses and historic Southwark buildings, the homes will be built around a beautiful and peaceful communal courtyard. Outdoor space for meeting and chatting with others and watching the world go by will be ample.

Juraj Marko, Managing Director at JTRE London, said: “We recognise how special it is to be forming a part of the tapestry of Southwark’s so we are delighted to be working alongside the Charity to deliver something that will have a lasting and meaningful impact. We ourselves put a huge emphasis on creating a community, which is now more important than ever, and we’re very keen to see Appleby Blue’s future residents reaping the benefits of this.”

The almshouses are expected to be completed in winter 2021. To find out more, please visit www.ustsc.org.uk