Designed by Make Architects, 225 Marsh Wall will replace an existing multi-let office building with 332 apartments including 71 affordable units, as well as approx 10,000 sq ft of mixed B1, D1, A1 and A3 commercial space. In addition there will be landscaped public realm at ground level, which will combine with the extensive landscaped gardens on the adjacent project, The Madison, to provide a new public square for the Marsh Wall East area.

The project was recommended for approval by LB Tower Hamlets’ planning officers in late 2017, but was refused by elected members of the Strategic Development Committee. The public inquiry was held in September 2018, and planning permission granted by the planning inspectorate in October 2018.

The planning inspector has now granted planning after being helped by virtual reality visualisation at the site.

The planning inspectorate report stated: “The building has been designed to an exemplary standard, making a significant new place and improving the quality of the Isle of Dogs cluster. A built development of this quality, seen in conjunction with the Madison tower ‘bookending’ a public park, would create an identifiably distinct place, making a major contribution to the character and quality of the Marsh Wall street scene.”

Frank Filskow, lead architect on the project from Make, said: “At a time when it is agreed that more homes need to be built to provide amenities and community benefits, we are delighted with this result. This is the first time we have used virtual reality to help the inspector assess the scheme on-site and it made a real difference.”