The use of modular construction on the Wandsworth site is expected to shave around six months off the tower’s total build time and see the project completed in summer 2018. 

The 26-storey tower is London housing developer Pocket’s largest scheme to date in the capital. It is thought to be Europe's tallest tower using modular construction.

The tower's modular units are being constructed at the Vision Modular Factory in Bedford where all internal finishes, heating and plumbing installations, windows, external insulation and some external finishes are applied.

The £40m scheme in Mapleton Crescent will feature 53 affordable flats to be sold outright at a discount of at least 20% to first time buyers, as well as 36 private flats. The development will also feature a communal roof terrace on the twenty fourth floor.

Pocket’s Chief Executive Marc Vlessing said, "If we’re able to scale up modular construction it has the potential to help solve London’s housing crisis. Factory built modular homes are quicker to build than conventional buildings and result in significantly less disruption to local residents - with 60% fewer trucks coming to sites and 90% less waste."

Leader of Wandsworth Council Ravi Govindia said, "I’m delighted Pocket’s first Wandsworth-based housing development is now under way. These compact starter homes are a superb innovation and offer a new affordable housing option in the heart of Wandsworth town centre. I’m sure they will be a popular choice with local residents and we hope to see more schemes like this developed in the years ahead.”

Interested in affordable home ownership in Wandsworth? Find out more at wandsworth.gov.uk/homeownership and register with the council's home ownership team at housesales@wandsworth.gov.uk