Wembley Link Phase 2— Shortlisted for Housing Design Awards

At LLC Group, we take great pride in the projects we help bring to life—particularly when our work supports bold design, community impact, and exceptional housing quality. Wembley Link Phase 2 is a perfect example.

Once an overlooked stretch of railway embankment, this site in the heart of Wembley is now home to 256 modern rental apartments, brought forward by HUB in partnership with Bridges Fund Management, and designed by the renowned architecture firm Howells. We were proud to deliver specialist painting and builders’ cleaning for both towers—ensuring the development’s design ambition carried through to the final detail.

Now shortlisted for the 2025 Housing Design Awards, this is more than just another housing scheme. It’s a model of how high-density, investor-led development can serve communities, the environment, and the future of urban living.

Project Snapshot

• Location: 412–444 High Road, Wembley, London Borough of Brent
• Developer: HUB
• Investment Partner: Bridges Fund Management
• Architect: Howells (formerly Glenn Howells Architects)
• Main Contractor: JJ Rhatigan
• Completion: 2024
• Homes Delivered: 256 Build-to-Rent units
• Affordable Housing: 50 homes (19.5%) at London Living Rent or discounted market rent
• Recognition: Shortlisted, 2025 Housing Design Awards (Completed Category)
• Marketed As: UNCLE Wembley

Urban Regeneration: A New Chapter for Wembley

Wembley Link Phase 2 sits on land that was once a fenced-off, underused railway embankment behind High Road. It’s now part of a wider regeneration initiative by Brent Council’s Wembley Housing Zone, designed to increase housing supply and reconnect Wembley Central to the surrounding urban fabric.

This once-forgotten site now features a new landscaped pedestrian route, improving walkability and public realm, and “knitting together” fragmented parts of Wembley into a more cohesive, vibrant neighbourhood.

Architectural Identity: Modern with Heritage in Mind

The scheme features two 17- and 19-storey towers, with square footprints and façades inspired by Wembley’s 1930s Art Deco landmarks—particularly Wembley Arena. Designed by Howells, the buildings balance clean lines, horizontal banding, and gentle curves with bold massing and generous terraces.

Key Design Features:

• Horizontal white brickwork echoing Streamline Moderne aesthetics
• Rounded corner balconies providing shade and panoramic views
• Recessed and projecting balconies that animate the façade
• Ground-level canopy and plaza for a welcoming arrival experience
• Communal garden, co-working pods, and rooftop terraces with skyline views

Whether viewed from a train or street level, these towers are both confident and approachable—contributing positively to the local character.

Our Contribution: Precision in the Final Phase

For LLC Group, our role was clear: deliver final finishes that matched the scheme’s architectural standards. That meant:

• Detailed interior and exterior painting, with consistency across over 250 apartments and shared spaces
• Thorough builders’ cleaning, ensuring every corner was ready for resident move-in
• Seamless trade coordination, working within the live construction site environment

This wasn't just about making things look good—it was about completing each space to a standard people would want to live in, and that the design deserved.

Sustainability at Its Core

Wembley Link Phase 2 is a car-lite, fully electric development, designed to align with the London Plan and push forward Brent’s sustainability goals. Environmental strategies are integrated throughout:

• Air-source heat pumps—no gas boilers
• Targeted 35% CO₂ reduction, with carbon offset contribution
• Green roofs and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
• Just 12 parking bays for 256 homes, promoting active travel
• BREEAM “Excellent” target for commercial spaces
• Secure cycle hub and biodiverse landscaping

Affordable housing is evenly distributed throughout, with tenure-blind design, ensuring all residents enjoy the same living standards.

Building a Community, Not Just Homes

More than housing, Wembley Link delivers social infrastructure:

• Public pedestrian route linking Wembley Central to key destinations
• Courtyard garden for play, relaxation, and community gathering
• Co-working spaces and lounges to support hybrid lifestyles
• Affordable homes tailored for local key workers

Delivered with Brent Council, this development restores public value to previously disconnected land—and does so with inclusivity, safety, and social benefit at its heart.

Planning and Delivery: A Well-Executed Vision

Wembley Link Phase 2 secured planning permission in 2019 (Ref: 18/3111), with minimal objections and strong support from planning officers for its ability to improve housing supply and public access.

Delivery Highlights:

• Forward-funded by Realstar Group and QuadReal with a £100 million investment
• Marketed as part of the UNCLE Living Build-to-Rent brand
• Constructed by JJ Rhatigan, completed on schedule in 2024
• Overcame complex challenges—railway proximity, COVID-era delays—with precision and collaboration

What Makes the Housing Design Awards Special?

The Housing Design Awards (HDA), founded in 1948, are the UK’s longest-running awards for excellence in residential design. With backing from bodies like RIBA, RTPI, and Homes England, they recognise projects that go beyond visuals—highlighting long-term value, sustainability, and liveability.

Notably:

• Judges visit schemes in person
• Panels include architects, planners, developers, and policymakers
• Emphasis is on real-world performance, not just aesthetics

No black-tie galas—just serious design scrutiny and sector-wide respect.

Why Wembley Link Phase 2 Stands Out

Judges likely saw in Wembley Link Phase 2 a rare balance of design, delivery, and impact:

1. Design with Local Character: A contemporary look that nods to Wembley’s architectural roots.
2. High-Density, High-Quality: 256 homes that feel part of a community, not just numbers.
3. Inclusive and Tenure-Blind: Affordable units integrated, not segregated.
4. Sustainability by Design: Energy-efficient, car-light, and future-facing.
5. Community-First Public Realm: Open space for all, not just residents.
6. Proven Delivery: On time, professionally managed, with investor backing.

Final Thoughts: Finishing with Purpose

At LLC Group, we often say that the final finish shapes the first impression. On projects like Wembley Link Phase 2, that finish isn’t just about paint and polish—it’s about bringing design to life in a way that lasts.

We’re proud to have played a part in this standout project, and proud that our work contributed to a place now recognised as one of the UK’s best examples of new housing design.