Construction has reached a key milestone at the East Riverside development in Poplar, where the steel and concrete frame for 116 affordable homes has been topped out.
What the milestone means locally
The homes form a component of the broader Rivermark scheme, which is intended to provide around 550 dwellings in total across the site. The 116 properties now reaching their highest structural point have been secured for the council in partnership with Clarion Housing Group and developer Taylor Wimpey.
Project partners say the completed properties will be split equally between two affordable tenures: London Affordable Rent and Tower Hamlets Living Rent. The move is designed to increase the supply of lower-cost housing options for local households amid ongoing demand across the borough.
Timetable and next steps
Work on the first phase of Clarion’s homes is due to continue through the coming months, with handovers for residents targeted for late 2026. Construction teams will move from structural works into internal finishes, services and landscaping in the run-up to completion.
- Site: East Riverside, Poplar
- Homes in this phase: 116 affordable units
- Total scheme target: ~550 homes across Rivermark
- Tenures: London Affordable Rent; Tower Hamlets Living Rent
- Completion target (first homes): Late 2026
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Taylor Wimpey (partnered with Clarion) |
| Housing provider | Clarion Housing Group |
| Council | Tower Hamlets Council (recipient of affordable homes) |
Voices from the project
"Reaching this stage is an important milestone for East Riverside and for the delivery of new affordable homes in Poplar. These homes will provide local people with high-quality, affordable places to live while contributing to the wider regeneration of the area,"
The comment was made by Clarion's regional managing director, reflecting the organisations' view that the development will both house residents and support the area's broader renewal.
Local impact and context
For residents of Poplar and the surrounding wards, the arrival of more genuinely affordable homes is a tangible development amid a prolonged local housing shortage. The mix of London Affordable Rent and locally defined Living Rent aims to offer different levels of subsidy and security to households priced out of the open market.
Beyond the immediate provision of homes, the Rivermark regeneration is expected to bring wider changes to the riverside area, including new public spaces and infrastructure. As with any large-scale build in the borough, details on allocations, lettings and support for existing residents will be matters for Tower Hamlets Council and the housing partners as the project moves towards completion.
Local people seeking information on lettings and eligibility should monitor Tower Hamlets Council and Clarion communications for updates as the development progresses toward handover next year.
