South London YMCA’s Alexandra House in the centre of Croydon has won a prestigious award at the Construction News Awards.
The award-winning new building on Dingwall Road
This appears to be a genuine award, with contractors Warings selected as winners of the “Best Project Under £10 million” from a shortlist of eight, chosen by independent judges, and all with a disinterested sponsor.
“Suffice to say, we are chuffed to bits,” a contact at SLYMCA told us this week following the presentation for the new build on Dingwall Road, which was only formally opened in the past few weeks.
The award “reflects the innovation, quality and speed of construction of this superb new hostel for homeless people“.
The residential part of Alexandra House consists of 161 modules each weighing 6 tons; making up the top eight floors of the building, these were brought ready-made from the factory, completely fitted out with white goods, kitchens and furniture, so that 80 per cent of the build was assembled on-site in three weeks.
“We are extremely proud of the new Alexandra House, which is now providing a high quality home for 80 homeless people,” Jeremy Gray, South London YMCA‘s chief executive, said.
“Our new facility provides a step change in the quality of accommodation which our vulnerable residents need and deserve. We would also like to thank Croydon Council for their support for our redevelopment programme, of which Alexandra House is a key part.”
Services at the new building include support, advice and guidance with areas such as employment and training and support to tackle a range of health issues. The charity has a high success rate, with more than three-quarters of all customers moving on into independent living.
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