Merrick Place

"These new homes at Merrick Place will help address the chronic shortage of genuinely affordable housing in our borough, offering local families much-needed security, stability, and the foundation for a better quality of life."

Councillor Shital Manro, Ealing Council

Client Vistry Group, Sovereign Network Group and Grainger
Location Southall, London
Completion 2026
Cost £175m

Services

RIBA stages 1-6
Architectural design
Masterplanning
Interior design
Advice on offsite solutions

Located next to Southall train station in Ealing, London, Merrick Place is a landmark £157 million mixed-use regeneration project, delivering 575 high-quality new homes across build-to-rent, private sale, and affordable tenures. Developed in partnership by Vistry Group, Sovereign Network Group, and Grainger, this project represents a major step forward in addressing London's housing needs while revitalising a former light industrial site.

The development comprises four striking buildings, ranging from 15 to 23 storeys, are set around a two-storey podium and will provide much-needed housing, commercial space, and community amenities. The project is designed by the practice and embraces modern methods of construction, utilising offsite manufacturing to enhance build quality and efficiency.

“This project is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the full potential of offsite manufacturing methods to speed up the delivery and improve the quality of new homes for London. Grainger and Network Homes are forward-thinking organisations that are pushing the boundaries in terms of innovation and design quality, demonstrating how homes in London will be delivered in the future.”

James Pickard
Founding Director, Cartwright Pickard

Delivering Affordable and Sustainable Homes at Scale

Merrick Place prioritises affordability and sustainability, with 35% of all residential units designated as affordable housing. This includes 42 affordable homes at London Affordable Rent and 132 shared ownership homes, supporting first-time buyers who may not be able to afford homes on the open market. The development aligns with Ealing Council’s vision for sustainable urban growth, with Councillor Shital Manro, cabinet member for good growth and new homes, highlighting its role in providing stability and quality housing for local families. The project has also received grant funding from the Greater London Authority’s Homes for Londoners programme to further its the council's of delivering affordable homes.

A Well-Connected, Car-Free Community

Merrick Place is a car-free development, emphasising sustainable transport solutions. Residents will have access to 926 cycle parking spaces, two dedicated servicing bays, and communal gardens and landscaped public spaces, including a play area for young children. Located just 100 metres from the new Southall Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) station and less than 10 minutes’ walk from the town centre, Merrick Place offers excellent connectivity to central London and beyond.

Sustainability Strategy

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

The project follows a fabric-first approach, ensuring high-performing building materials that reduce energy demand while maintaining optimal indoor temperatures. The development incorporates air source heat pumps (ASHPs), with a combination of 2-pipe heating-only and 4-pipe heating-and-cooling systems to enhance energy efficiency. To further improve sustainability, electric boilers are utilised during peak winter demand, minimising reliance on larger ASHPs and reducing space requirements.

These energy-saving measures will cut carbon emissions by 57.4% - exceeding the Greater London Authority’s target of 40%. The development is also compliant with Building Regulations Part L 2013, and all office, shell, and core spaces are targeting a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’.

Tackling Overheating and Enhancing Comfort

As Merrick Place is located next to a railway, acoustic comfort and thermal performance have been key design considerations.

The development utilises high-efficiency mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and cooling coils in apartments to maintain comfortable summer temperatures while reducing reliance on openable windows, which could lead to noise pollution.

Dynamic thermal modelling in accordance with CIBSE TM59 and TM52 has been undertaken to assess overheating risk, ensuring compliance with Building Regulations Part O and the cooling hierarchy outlined in Policy SI4 of the GLA London Plan.

Energy and Futureproofing

Merrick Place integrates photovoltaic (PV) panels on the plantrooms of each block to further drive down energy consumption.

Additionally, below-ground district heating pipework has been installed to allow seamless future connection to a district heating network, ensuring long-term sustainability and reduced external disruption for residents.

Water and Lighting Efficiency

The project prioritises water efficiency, ensuring compliance with Building Regulations Part G and GLA London Plan thresholds.

By collaborating with Fairheat, Low Temperature Hot Water Heating (LTHW) distribution temperatures have been reduced, improving ASHP efficiency and lowering domestic hot water delivery temperatures. In terms of lighting, the external lighting design balances safety, security, and aesthetic appeal.

Public spaces on the ground level prioritize safety, while shared garden areas on podium and roof levels offer a softer, homely ambiance. High-efficacy LED luminaires with automatic controls ensure compliance with BREEAM ENE03 credit targets, minimising energy consumption while enhancing user experience.

Supporting Local Businesses and Employment

Beyond housing, Merrick Place will contribute to Southall’s economic growth, with 2,100 sqm of office space and 318 sqm of flexible commercial floorspace. This aligns with the council’s ambition to create more high-quality local jobs, ensuring that the regeneration benefits extend beyond residential needs.

A Vision for the Future

Set to be completed by late 2026, Merrick Place will play a pivotal role in the regeneration of Southall, acting as a gateway development that aligns with Ealing Council’s long-term urban transformation goals. As construction progresses, this project stands as a testament to innovative design, strong partnerships, and a commitment to delivering affordable, sustainable, and high-quality housing for Londoners.