Under clear blue skies and bright spring sunshine, our London team gathered to celebrate a significant construction milestone at Willen House, a landmark student accommodation project located in Shoreditch.
The Topping Out Ceremony marked the completion of the building’s main structure – a key moment on the path to project completion, scheduled for early 2026. Traditionally, the ceremony was held on the rooftop, with views across London and bright spring weather setting a positive tone for the occasion. It was a fitting moment to acknowledge the collaborative effort behind the project so far. Speeches were held by our CEO Graham Sturge, and Steve Gardner from EC1 Residences. Both took the opportunity to thank all teams involved in the project’s delivery, from clients and design consultants to subcontractors, and our London team. Their remarks highlighted the high level of coordination, technical expertise, and commitment required to progress such a complex redevelopment.
The ceremony included the traditional beam signing and concrete pour, where attendees were invited to leave their mark on the structure – a symbolic gesture to commemorate the collective contributions that have driven the project forward. Following the rooftop ceremony, we hosted a reception at a nearby venue for all attendees, offering drinks and canapés in a relaxed setting. It was a welcome opportunity for all involved to reflect on the achievement so far.
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Located within a conservation area in Shoreditch, Willen House is undergoing a major redevelopment involving significant structural alterations and both vertical and horizontal extensions. The building has been extended from six to eight storeys, with a full façade replacement incorporating heritage-style aluminium windows, glass reinforced concrete (GRC) cladding to the front, and new masonry to the rear. Once complete, the project will deliver 223 high-quality, self-contained en-suite rooms designed specifically for postgraduate students. Residents will also benefit from a suite of communal amenities including a cinema room, gym, yoga studio, residents’ lounge, and landscaped sunken gardens – all constructed using durable, high-performing materials to ensure long-term quality. This event marks an important milestone in the journey of Willen House, and we are proud of the progress made to date. We look forward to continuing our work with the project team as we move toward successful completion.
