Joint venture partners, The Hill Group and Peabody, along with Build-to-Rent developer and operator, Goodstone Living, have marked a significant milestone in the construction of BtR homes at Dagenham Green.
The partners came together to celebrate the topping out of the tallest of three BtR residential buildings at the development. The 18-storey tower now stands as a new landmark on the former Ford Stamping Plant site in East London.
The topping out ceremony was attended by senior representatives from across the project team, including Mark Greenwood, deputy regional director of The Hill Group; James McMylor, managing director of Peabody; and Iliya Blazic, CEO of Goodstone Living.
Dagenham Green will provide 360 rental apartments across three buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys, comprising one, two and three-bedroom homes. Located next to Dagenham Dock station with direct rail access to Fenchurch Street in around 20 minutes, the development will offer residents a range of shared spaces and amenities, including a concierge service, fitness facilities, co-working spaces, private dining areas and two landscaped podium gardens overlooking a new urban park.
The BtR homes are being delivered with real estate developer and investment manager, Goodstone Living. The project is Goodstone Living’s third development on behalf of its first managed investment vehicle, Goodstone Living Partners 1, capitalised by Macquarie Asset Management and the Northern Local Government Pension Scheme. The fund has two other projects in Edinburgh and Birmingham, totalling c.1,300 ‘next generation’ Build-to-Rent homes.
The BtR homes form part of the first phase of 935 homes at Dagenham Green, within a wider 45-acre masterplan led by Peabody that is ultimately planned to deliver more than 3,500 new homes, alongside an urban park, community gardens, a community hub, a market square and land for a new school. The development aims to be among the most affordable BtR projects in the capital, with the first homes expected to be available for rent from summer 2027, and full completion by summer 2028.
Andy Hill OBE, founder and group chief executive of The Hill Group, commented: “Topping out the tallest building at Dagenham Green is a proud milestone for everyone involved in this project. It is a visible demonstration of the real progress being made on what is one of East London’s most significant regeneration projects. We have the vision to create an inclusive and welcoming community here with excellent amenities and connectivity, and these Build-to-Rent homes will provide a ready-made community.”
James McMylor, managing director, development and investment at Peabody, commented: “Seeing the first Build-to-Rent homes reach their full height at Dagenham Green is a real moment of progress for us and for the community. We’re looking forward to welcoming the people who will one day call this part of East London home.”
“This development introduces Build-to-Rent as another tenure at Dagenham Green, helping to create a genuinely varied community that offers something for everyone. It will provide a mix of homes and shared spaces designed around everyday life – somewhere people can build connections, grow and put down roots.”
“Our partnership with Hill and Goodstone Living highlights the importance of the development industry coming together, combining funding, delivery and operational expertise to deliver the much-needed homes people need.”
Iliya Blazic, chief executive officer of Goodstone Living, said: “This is a significant milestone for Dagenham Green and a hugely exciting time for Goodstone Living, following hot on the heels of reaching practical completion at Dockside in Edinburgh last month. Together, these projects demonstrate how institutional capital can play a critical role in addressing the housing crisis across the UK – delivering high-quality, attainable homes in places where they are most needed.”
“This development embodies our strategy to deliver exceptional rental housing in key regeneration areas, providing homes that are attainable, sustainable and designed around the needs of modern renters. We look forward to welcoming the first residents in 2027.”
Kevin Etchells, head of real assets at Greater Manchester Pension Fund, on behalf of the Northern LGPS, said: “Our investment in Dagenham Green reflects our focus on deploying pension capital into assets that can deliver resilient, long-term returns while making a meaningful contribution to society. Build-to-Rent offers a compelling opportunity to meet growing housing demand, and developments like this demonstrate how pension funds can support the creation of high-quality homes and thriving communities. We are pleased to be working alongside Macquarie Asset Management and Goodstone Living to bring forward a development that aligns financial performance with positive social impact.”
