What are the Macpherson Apartments?
The Macpherson Apartments is a collaboration between property developer Thornsett and Bethnal Green Mission Church, resulting in a mixed-use build that provides both brand new homes and a community hub.
It includes four one-bed and ten double-bed apartments, as well as a cafe, a hall for community events and, most interestingly, a church.
The new build is part of a growing number of housing projects in London that incorporate churches.
Its location puts the Macpherson Apartments in the centre of a vibrant area, with green spaces like Bethnal Green gardens and Victoria Park nearby, as well as the Grade II listed V&A Museum of Childhood.
A brief history
Like many areas of the capital, Bethnal Green has its own unique heritage. Historically a very poor area, charitable acts have shaped this community’s growth.
The new building itself, too, has a history all of its own. It takes its name from Annie Macpherson, Victorian philanthropist and founder of the Bethnal Green Mission Church. Macpherson was a champion of charitable endeavours in London’s East End, having set up a refuge for destitute children in the area.
Architecture
The development was designed by Gatti Routh Rhodes to have the church very much at its core, with Richard Gatti saying of the project “we wanted to express that idea of church as a part of the community”.
Therefore the building is complemented by nods to the Missions history, with a stain glass window offsetting the otherwise modern architecture.
The flats themselves are designed to block out much of the noise from the busy area, as well as the Overground train line.
The Macpherson Apartments’ community focus
It is the spirit of community and charity that has gone into the design of the new development, which the apartments have helped to fund.
The basement area will be used for a variety of projects to support the local community, including inter-faith projects. There is also a food bank, community kitchen and co-working facilities for charities.
The Beehive, a built-in cafe run in conjunction with the church, is also in keeping with this charitable spirit. Also inspired by Annie Macpherson, it aims to be a place for all members of the community to enjoy.
It also supports those less-fortunate locals, providing opportunities for personal growth and a welcoming atmosphere.
Spotlight on the Macpherson Apartments: A Summary
The Macpherson Apartments have been built from the ground up to be more than just a church, or block of flats, or shopping area.
Rather, the development is designed to bring all these disparate elements together to create a unified whole that puts the emphasis on community.
If you’d like to find out more about the Macpherson Apartments, email our New Homes team at newhomes@keatons.com or call 020 76505167.
