Of the 139 new homes, 46 will be affordable housing, contributing to Camden’s commitment to building 4,850 homes across the borough, including 1,800 affordable council homes.
Camden has marked a major housing milestone with the topping out of 139 new homes on Abbey Road in Kilburn. The ceremony celebrated the completion of the building’s structure, bringing much-needed homes to the west of the borough.
This development is part of Camden’s Community Investment Programme (CIP), the Council’s leading house-building initiative. Of the 139 new homes, 46 will be affordable housing, contributing to Camden’s commitment to building 4,850 homes across the borough, including 1,800 affordable council homes. The project also includes three commercial units to support local businesses and services.
This phase follows the earlier completion of 141 homes on the Abbey Road site in 2019, of which 66 were affordable. In total, the redevelopment has transformed a former car park and underused land into 280 brand-new homes—206 more than previously available—alongside a GP surgery, a community centre, improved public spaces, and a supermarket.
Commitment to Affordable Housing
Councillor Nasrine Djemai, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Community Investment at Camden Council, said:
“As a council, we are committed to building more affordable homes for people in Camden, and this marks us being one step closer to increasing the number of much-needed homes in the west of the borough.
“Building more homes through our ambitious Community Investment Programme is one of the ways we are responding to the housing crisis. Developments like this help us address our housing waiting list and ensure that people can continue to live in Camden in high-quality and energy-efficient homes they can afford.”
Transforming Housing Landscape
The project is being delivered in partnership with Wates, a leading construction and development firm. Paul Nicholls, Regional Managing Director for London at Wates Residential, commented:
“Having delivered the first two phases, we’re proud to be in the home stretch with Phase 3—completing the transformation of Abbey Road into a thriving neighbourhood.
“This development is bringing much-needed, high-quality, and energy-efficient homes to Camden, ensuring more people can live in the community they love. This project shows what great partnerships can achieve, and we can’t wait to see the final piece of the puzzle come to life.”
Celebrating Progress
The topping-out ceremony was attended by the Leader of Camden Council, Councillor Richard Olszewski, alongside Councillor Nasrine Djemai, Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali, Cabinet Member for Better Homes, and representatives from Wates development and construction.
This milestone is a key moment in Camden’s wider Community Investment Programme, which aims to create sustainable and affordable homes while enhancing public spaces and community facilities.
Future Developments
The second phase of the Abbey Road development, completed in 2022, introduced a new health centre and a community hub offering activities and support for residents of all ages. The final phase is set for completion in 2026, with all former estate residents offered brand-new homes within the redevelopment.
Another flagship project under CIP is the Agar Grove development, which is nearing completion. This initiative is the largest Passivhaus scheme in the country, delivering highly energy-efficient homes that require minimal heating and can cut energy bills by up to 75%.
The Agar Grove project is also the largest development under Camden’s Community Investment Programme to date. Once completed, it will provide 496 new homes, a shop, café, community hall, gardens, and a play area.
A Sustainable Future for Camden
Camden’s approach to housing prioritises sustainability, affordability, and community-focused design. With projects like Abbey Road and Agar Grove, the borough is setting a standard for modern, energy-efficient housing in London, helping to create thriving neighbourhoods where residents can live and work in an inclusive environment.
As Camden continues to push forward with its ambitious housing plans, the topping-out ceremony at Abbey Road signals a step closer to delivering more high-quality homes and ensuring long-term benefits for residents and the wider community.
