The topping out ceremony was held on the 15th of March for the new Marylebone Boys’ School, which is a part of the Dudley House development.
The £80 million scheme is located on North Wharf Road in the Paddington Basin regeneration area. The school comprises one part of the Dudley House development which, when completed, will also offer 197 new intermediate affordable homes for rent, a modern community space for the Pentecostal Church and neighbourhood improvements to local public spaces.
Occupying the southern end of the development site, the Marylebone Boys’ School is spread out over six storeys with dual aspect classrooms and a netted play area at roof level. Today a ceremonial brick was laid at the highest point of the construction and comes just nine months after works began.
Cllr Richard Holloway, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Young People led the ceremony alongside representatives from the contractors Willmott Dixon Construction, the head teacher and pupils from Marylebone Boys’ School and the architectural designers Child Graddon Lewis.
Cllr Holloway commented: “I am delighted that the topping out ceremony of Marylebone Boys School marks the first significant milestone in the Dudley House development. Westminster City Council is committed to providing the best facilities and amenities for local residents so the school, along with the 197 intermediate affordable homes for rent as part of the scheme, ensures we meet our commitment to create successful neighbourhoods and will go a significant way to meeting Westminster City Council’s ambition to deliver 1,850 home by 2023.”
Chris Tredget, Managing Director, from the contractors Willmott Dixon added: “Willmott Dixon Construction Hitchin are thrilled to be delivering this mixed-use development right in the heart of Westminster and playing an integral part in the regeneration of the Paddington Basin. This is a great opportunity to combine our construction and housing skills to provide sustainable homes that keep costs down for residents and delivering a permanent facility for Marylebone Boys’ School with a first class learning environment for the students.”
Head teacher of Marylebone Boys’ School, Richard Ardron said: "Marylebone Boys' School is delighted to mark this significant step in the construction of our school's permanent home in Westminster. All our students and staff are looking forward immensely to learning and teaching here from September."
James Felstead, lead designer and director at Child Graddon Lewis, added: “We’re of course delighted to see our design for Dudley House now coming to life, with the topping out of the Marylebone Boys’ School marking a significant milestone towards its successful delivery. Schemes such as Dudley House offer a new vision for providing a mix of uses and we’re excited to be a part of creating that.”