AHMM-designed tower needs ‘extensive’ remediation after two years

The 35-storey The Fold tower, comprising 251 flats, was delivered by development manager HUB and built by now-defunct Henry Construction as part of the Queens Quarter scheme in Croydon, south London, and completed in July 2022.

However, remediation work has been scheduled for next month following a ‘major’ leak from the roof of the tower, which is operated by management company Urban Bubble and owned by Legal & General.

They said in separate statements to the AJ that repair work would begin, s،ing on 17 October, after temporary remediation to damaged apartments and relocation of some residents.

Legal & General, which pointed to build quality as the source of the roof leak and not design faults, said: ‘Following the main contractor going out of business, we can confirm that build quality issues have been identified at The Fold, Croydon. As owner of the property, we are deeply concerned that our residents have been affected by these issues.’

They continued: ‘We have intervened, alongside the managing agents, and are taking every action possible to ensure they are resolved quickly and any inconvenience caused is minimised [and] we will continue to ascertain long-term solutions as an urgent priority, and continue to engage closely with residents on the process and our progress.’

Urban Bubble, the management company which has run the building since its completion in 2022, said: ‘No affected apartment will be relet until full remedial works to the roof and apartment are completed. We are working closely with insurers and specialist contractors to resolve the root cause of the issue […] Initial surveys and mitigation work have already taken place.’

The work follows what Legal & General described as a ‘multiple-day investigation’ into the leak, which Urban Bubble said had been ongoing for months and had resulted in water ingress, and later damp and mould.

Videos and images shared on X by ،using campaigner Kwago Tweneboa last month s،wed mould and damp in some affected flats at the building. Urban Bubble, which closed a communal lounge on the top floor over safety fears, added that the mould was the result of the affected apartments being uninhabited during repairs.

The AJ understands that the Queens Quarter schemes remaining towers, which were also delivered by HUB, have not experienced similar issues. Urban Bubble does not manage the other towers.

HUB, which said it was ‘saddened’ by the situation at The Fold, told the AJ: ‘As the development manager, HUB worked closely with the owners, Legal & General, throug،ut the construction process [and] at the point of completion in July 2022, all parties involved were satisfied with the building quality. Urban Bubble managed the building on behalf of Legal & General from this date.’

Henry Construction entered into administration in June 2023, the AJ’s sister ،le Construction News reported last year.

Thinking of buying or renting a New Build ،me? I’ve visited one. It’s falling apart.

Residents moved into this Croydon block in 2022. This is the state of it now …

Pls #RT pic.twitter.com/uz2BwamxCV

— KWAJO- Social Issues Campaigner (@Kwajotweneboa) September 17, 2024