IOC encouraged by Olympic Village progress as first residential plot is completed
31 Mar 2011
Construction progress on the Olympic Village was praised by the International Olympic Committee today as the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced that work on the first residential plot has now been completed. The ODA also released a new Olympic Park flythrough video today along with the latest aerial images showing progress across the site.
Members of the IOC were shown around the Village as part of their biannual Coordination Commission visit and saw the first of 11 residential plots where the ODA’s construction work has now been completed. The construction of the remaining residential plots is firmly on track with the construction of the Village due to be completed by the end of the year.
The Olympic Village, which lies adjacent to the Olympic Park, will accommodate athletes and officials during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. After the Games the Village will deliver the legacy of 2,818 new homes for east London, including 1,379 high-quality affordable homes that have been purchased by Triathlon Homes. The homes will be joined by new parks, open space and new education and healthcare facilities in one of the best-connected parts of the capital.
IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald said, 'The Olympic Village is at the very heart of the Games experience for thousands of athletes. It represents their home away from home and the place where they will prepare to achieve their Olympic dreams. It is therefore encouraging to see that excellent progress has been made in constructing this accommodation, especially knowing that this Village will become a vibrant new community in legacy. With its close proximity to the Olympic Park, the athletes will undoubtedly take full advantage of being able to walk to events and this will allow them to soak up the atmosphere and live their Olympic experience to the full.'
ODA Chief Executive Dennis Hone said: 'The IOC’s praise for the Olympic Village is extremely encouraging and with our first residential plot now completed, we are seeing beds for athletes and new homes for Londoners taking shape.
'The Village will create a new neighbourhood for east London with the best of city living all in one place where essential new housing will be joined by education and healthcare facilities, new parklands, public squares and open space. With construction work firmly on track, discussions to secure a long-term private investor in the Village are also making good progress with a shortlist of investors due to be selected in the coming weeks.'
LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: 'The Village is looking incredible and we’re thrilled that the IOC is here to witness first-hand the progress that has been made. Whether competing at venues in the Park, or further afield there will be a place for all athletes here at the Village, giving them the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of the Games should they want to, wherever they are competing.
'London is going to be a special place to be in the summer of 2012 and athletes staying here will be at the heart of it all in the Athletes’ Village which will be a vibrant community for those competing. And after the Games, that sense of community will remain as a new neighbourhood is created in east London, on the doorstep of the Olympic Park.'
A shortlist of private sector investors to acquire the ODA’s interests in the Village is expected to be announced shortly for further detailed negotiations with a decision whether to proceed with a selected party then expected to be made in the Summer.
The ODA is looking to secure best-value together with a long-term commitment from an investor to realise the full potential of the Village development which includes:
New homes for Londoners
A complete neighbourhood of 2,818 new homes including 1,379 affordable homes
Family housing with nearly 1,000 three- and four-bed homes
New homes with functional, light spaces and open-plan layouts ranging from studio apartments to four- and five-bedroom townhouses
New homes built around private courtyards with podium-level car parking
New homes built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level Four
Homes have been designed for modern, sustainable living, and their construction, fittings and finishes are of the highest standard
Future development plots
Six future development plots with existing outline planning consent
In total, the six plots have the potential for 2,000 new homes to be developed, together with retail floor space and associated uses
New parklands, courtyards and open space
Village built over 27 hectares of land, the equivalent to St James’s Park, with tree-lined streets and new public squares
More than 10 hectares of new parks and open space interspersed with cycling facilities and recreation spaces
Landscaped courtyard areas with gardens and play areas
New community facilities, transport links and amenities
A world-class education campus, Chobham Academy, with 1,800 places for students aged 3-19
A state-of-the-art Polyclinic with a full range of healthcare services, including multiple GP surgeries, outpatient activity, and a children’s clinic
One of the best connected parts of the capital with Stratford International and Stratford stations offering links to London’s key locations
With local and independent shops, cafes and bars, the feeling of an established neighbourhood will be created
Adjacent to world-class sporting venues, parks and facilities in the Olympic Park and Stratford City, London’s newest and largest shopping centre
Triathlon Homes (a joint venture company established by urban development and investment company, First Base and housing associations, Southern Housing Group and East Thames Group) has purchased 1,379 of the new homes in the Athletes’ Village which will be delivered to the consortium from summer 2013. The affordable, high quality homes that Triathlon Homes is providing will help ensure a successful legacy for Stratford and the wider east London community after the London 2012 Games.