A London housing association will launch an architectural competition for a pioneering 拢30m mixed-use scheme next week.
The scheme, first proposed in March by London and Quadrant Housing Trust, homeless charity Crisis and think tank the King's Fund, uses ideas from a project in Times Square, New York.

The backers want to construct a 400-unit building for key workers and the long-term homeless. As in the US version, the scheme will incorporate a retail element and healthcare facilities.

Project observers expect the consortium to acquire a site near Euston Road or the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson hospital, both in central London.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has been working on design guidance for the project. A King's Fund spokesman confirmed that an advertisement launching the competition will be issued on 22 November.

The development will be the first in Britain to house key workers and the long-term homeless.

  • Barnet council is to select a consortium for its Stone Grove regeneration scheme in Edgware, north London, this week. Teams led by housing associations Guinness Trust, Metropolitan Housing Trust and contractor United House are in the running to refurbish and rebuild up to 1250 dwellings.