News

We've reached the top of 12 Thames Road

Key points

Residential

The Ceremony

The project team were joined by special guests Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council and Tim Porter, Director of Delivery for Be First alongside other Be First and Council representatives.

The ceremony began with words from our Project Director, Carl Adams, who welcomed guests and introduced the project scope.

Followed by Darren Gill, Managing Director for London who highlighted the longstanding relationship between McLaren, Be First and the LBBD that is built on shared values and vision for the wider community of Barking and Dagenham.

Director of Delivery for Be First, Tim Porter, gave a few words celebrating the work of the project team, partners and consultants for reaching such a momentous milestone.

Lastly, Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council closed the ceremony with an inspirational speech as he shared his vision for the development and for Barking and Dagenham.

Three speakers in hard hats and hi-vis on stage at the 12 Thames Road topping out ceremony in Barking

About the project

12 Thames Road is a £58m mixed-use employment and residential development, delivered on behalf of Be First, the regeneration arm of Barking and Dagenham Council.

The development will include 156 affordable built-to-rent homes across four multi-level residential buildings ranging between seven to sixteen storeys, as well as 5,000 m sq. of light industrial units for new and expanding business with an additional commercial unit that will become home to the Brothers Café that was previously on the site.

The 156 homes will consist of one, two and three bedroom units, to which all units will be priced affordably, with 50% at affordable rent and 50% at London affordable rent.

The scheme will be delivered to BREEAM ‘Very good’ certification.

£54mProject Value

156Affordable BTR homes

12 Thames Road residential blocks wrapped in scaffolding behind pink hoardings with tower cranes above
Four men in McLaren hard hats and hi-vis chatting at the 12 Thames Road topping out in Barking
Be First and McLaren representatives shaking hands in front of the 12 Thames Road Topping Out Ceremony banner
Two McLaren representatives holding a ceremonial trowel at the 12 Thames Road Topping Out Ceremony
Related News
Westminster City Council and McLaren Construction have secured Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator for Phase Two of the Ebury Bridge Estate regeneration in Westminster, London. The milestone enables major construction works to begin on the scheme, which will deliver 781 new homes as part of a wider regeneration project alongside public spaces, retail units and community facilities. The approval confirms the development meets stringent fire and structural safety requirements under the Building Safety Act. The announcement includes comments from Westminster City Council and McLaren Construction highlighting the collaborative effort involved in securing approval and progressing one of London’s largest regeneration projects.
12 October 2026

Westminster City Council secures landmark Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approval for £229M second phase of Ebury Bridge regeneration, in partnership with McLaren Construction

21 January 2026

Westminster City Council appoints McLaren Construction for £229m second phase of Ebury Bridge

18 September 2025

Celebrating Topping Out at Lexden and Steyne Road