Our Development Process

Founded in 1974, SHA has now completed 50 projects comprising over 700 homes. The schemes range greatly in size and complexity, but all are based in Central London, with the vast majority, 83%, located in the congested, and challenging environment of the West End.

This strong local focus has enabled Soho Housing Association to build up a fund of expertise and knowledge, which makes us uniquely equipped to carry out the task of developing affordable homes for people living, and working, in the very heart of the city.

We pride ourselves on our ability to weave small-scale projects into the existing pattern of buildings and uses. The most effective, and environmentally friendly way to do this is through the imaginative conversion and improvement of existing buildings, and 70% of our schemes have been constructed in this way.

All SHA’s new build schemes have involved the reclamation of “brown” land. Like conversion projects, such schemes are time consuming and complicated to negotiate, but they help to ease the pressure for greenfield development in outlying boroughs, and also sustain the character of existing communities, by filling the gaps in the city streetscape which can otherwise create a sense of desolation and decay.

Over the years we have turned many car parks on derelict land into housing. In partnership with London Borough of Camden, we completed the first “car-free“ residential scheme in England, on land to the rear of Holborn Town Hall. Green Dragon House in Covent Garden was termed a “striking piece of architecture” by the Evening Standards judges in awarding the scheme the Best New Development for 2000.

SHA’s largest and most ambitious project to date is the comprehensive redevelopment of Sandringham Flats East, on Charing Cross Road. We purchased a long lease of this estate of 157 flats from the GLC days before it was wound up in 1986, and went on to acquire the freehold, including 14 retail units, in 1989.

After a long period of consultation, SHA started work on the first phase of major structural works and improvements in 1989.The work was completed in March 1998.

Soho Housing Association has also managed a Single Regeneration Budget partnership on the Salter’s City Foyer. This was the first housing association led partnership and a successful bid in round one of the SRB initiative.

In keeping with the area in which we work, half of Soho Housing Association’s projects have been mixed, in the sense that our residential units have been developed above, or alongside, other uses that form part of the same plot of land.

The range of these other uses includes, shops, an art gallery, a leisure centre, restaurants, a chapel, a museum, a community centre, a barrow store, a bank, a covered market, and a wide range of different office uses. The homes that form part of these projects are truly integrated into the wider community of Central London.

As a freeholder Soho Housing Association owns and manages 30 commercial units, including 13 shops in Charing Cross Road and three restaurants in Clerkenwell and The City. These commercial properties make a valuable contribution to the finances of the association and help to fund the acquisition of new properties.

Because of the mix of residential and commercial uses in the West End, it has made sense from the outset for us to work in partnership with private developers.

The most successful were two major new build consortium projects led by Speyhawk Plc which were completed in 1987,and a third, led by Arundel House, which was handed over in 1991.These were among the first “on site” planning deals for affordable housing in London and we have completed another such partnership, with West City Plc, redeveloping the Dover court garage opposite Lords Cricket Ground.

In addition to developing and managing our own projects, SHA has also purchased and developed a number of schemes on behalf of other charities providing high care services. We own three substantial buildings that are managed by Centrepoint – a short stay hostel in Berwick Street, the Salter’s City Foyer and a supporting-young-people hostel at Greek Street. We also have schemes with St Mungo’s and Strutton Housing Associations.