Two new residential towers at Elephant Park in London have officially topped out, marking a significant milestone in one of the capital’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects. The Wilderly, a £250 million development created through a joint venture between Australian developer Lendlease and Japanese company Daiwa House, will provide 259 premium apartments equipped with distinctive amenities such as a communal SkyLounge, elevated gardens, and an on-site gym.

This marks Daiwa House’s inaugural residential project in the UK, combining Lendlease’s renowned expertise in developing vibrant urban neighbourhoods with Daiwa House’s six decades of sustainable development experience. Construction has been managed by Bovis, the principal contractor behind every phase of Elephant Park’s long-term transformation. A topping out ceremony celebrated the achievement with attendance from senior representatives of Lendlease, Daiwa House, Southwark Council, and Bovis.

Angela Brennan, Executive Development Director at Lendlease, reflected on the milestone, highlighting the strength of the partnership and the collaborative approach with local authorities and the community. Brennan said this project is a testament to what sustained, community-focused regeneration looks like, citing Elephant Park as a thriving part of London that embodies the vision of thoughtful urban renewal. Echoing this sentiment, Taketo Itami, Managing Director of Daiwa House UK, described The Wilderly as a project that prioritises quality, sustainability, and long-term value, hoping it will make a lasting positive impact on residents and the wider area.

Elephant Park itself is a substantial £2.5 billion regeneration initiative led by Lendlease in partnership with Southwark Council, which has been underway for over a decade. The extensive scheme aims to deliver approximately 3,200 new homes, alongside more than 50 shops, cafés, and restaurants, as well as flexible office spaces. A central feature of the development is a two-acre park—one of the largest new green spaces to be created in central London in over 70 years—perfectly complementing the pedestrian-friendly design of the neighbourhood. The scheme also integrates sustainable infrastructure including a net-zero carbon district heating network and has generated over 1,600 local jobs since construction began in 2013.

Southwark Council has been a pivotal partner since 2007, notably focusing on retaining mature trees and establishing extensive public spaces. Nearly half of the ongoing development is designated as public space, reinforcing the project’s community-oriented ethos. Alongside residential and retail elements, the area has seen innovative additions such as The Tree House, a pavilion designed with sustainability in mind, featuring low embodied carbon and centred around mature trees, serving as a communal space in the park.

The Wilderly represents the final residential phase at Elephant Park, closing a chapter on a complex regeneration journey characterised by deep collaboration between Lendlease, their construction partner Bovis, and the local community. James Pearce, Managing Director at Bovis, praised the teamwork and commitment which helped deliver a development that sets a new benchmark in sustainable urban regeneration, combining high-quality living standards with environmental responsibility.

The larger Elephant Park redevelopment continues to evolve, with recent acquisitions of remaining plots earmarked for a mix of shared-living, affordable homes, retail, and health facilities, signalling ongoing investment in the area’s vibrancy and inclusivity. This comprehensive approach underscores the project’s ambition to create not just housing, but a thriving, sustainable, and culturally rich community within Elephant and Castle.

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Source: Noah Wire Services