HG Construction appears to have picked up a 28-storey build-to-rent tower job in east London that was originally due to be built by collapsed contractor Henry Construction.
Google Maps photographs from September 2024 reveal what look like the HG logo on the perimeter of the Trocoll House scheme in Barking.
Investor Railpen announced a funding deal three years ago with real estate specialists Revenue & Capital and developer Fifth Capital to create the 198-home tower on the site of a now-demolished Wetherspoons pub on Station Parade.
Henry Construction was appointed to deliver the Farrells-designed building. However, the west London contractor fell into administration in 2023.
On Friday (7 February), local paper the Romford Recorder reported that a new construction programme was being worked on “with another contractor already appointed”.
The report did not identify HG Construction as the replacement contractor, although the firm includes Trocoll House on a list of active projects on its website.
According to data intelligence provider Glenigan, HG and fellow contractor Mulalley were bidders for the job.
A spokesperson for Railpen told Construction News that HG is operating under a pre-construction service agreement (PCSA) which will be completed “in the next few weeks”.
Barking and Dagenham Council leader Darren Rodwell said when the funding deal was announced in 2022: “This agreement means a tired, tatty old building will be replaced, providing nearly 200 new homes for local people.
“This development, alongside a restored and improved station, will create a great new gateway to Barking. It’s further evidence of the council’s commitment to revitalising Barking town centre, while also ensuring homes and opportunities for residents of the borough.”
Ed Skeates, development director at the council’s regeneration arm Be First, added at the time: “This site is directly adjacent to Barking Station and the new building will transform the experience of people coming into and out of the town centre and will also be an amazingly convenient and vibrant place to live for our residents.”
The council, BeFirst and HG Construction have been contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, administrators for Henry Construction Projects last month revealed a legal bid to recover £10m they claim was paid to a former director shortly before the firm went into administration in 2023.
Henry Construction Projects had a turnover of £402.2m and posted a pre-tax profit of £14m in its final accounts for the year to 30 June 2021. But it owed more than £40m to suppliers when it entered administration.
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Greg Pitcher