dRMM Architects’ Wick Lane scheme in Hackney Wick sets a new benchmark by seamlessly blending 175 homes with light industrial and commercial spaces, preserving East London’s industrial heritage while fostering community and sustainability within a revitalised urban landscape.
A pioneering mixed-use development in Hackney Wick by dRMM Architects encapsulates a bold vision for integrating residential living with industrial and creative workspace. The Wick Lane project, delivered for Taylor Wimpey and supported by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), combines 175 new homes with 2,250 square metres of light industrial and commercial space. This development forms part of a larger regeneration strategy in East London, intended to retain vital employment land while delivering much-needed housing.
Breaking away from the typical “beds above sheds” approach often found in mixed-use schemes, Wick Lane embodies a co-location philosophy where industrial and residential uses coexist and complement each other spatially and socially across the site. The architectural language carefully draws from Hackney Wick and Fish Island’s proud industrial heritage, employing materials such as red and black brick, metal cladding, cast glass, and ribbed blockwork. Buildings display an emphasis on materiality and texture, with distinct yet harmonious finishes applied consistently across roofs, walls, and soffits. Balconies intersperse inset and projecting types, crafted from glass and steel in red and black tones, enhancing the varied but cohesive aesthetic.
Strategically placed, the light industrial and maker workspaces anchor the southern boundary of the site, acting as a buffer against the adjacent Strategic Industrial Land while preserving the residential blocks’ tranquility. Podium gardens separate these distinct zones, providing residents with amenity space and visual relief. Notably, 72% of the homes are dual-aspect to optimise natural light and offer views over the Greenway—an elevated linear park linking the scheme to Victoria Park and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, enhancing the site’s connection to surrounding public green spaces.
The commercial element is thoughtfully activated through street-facing workspace units and double-height standalone spaces that accommodate startups and light industrial businesses, curated in partnership with enterprise operator Tradestars and interior designer Sophie Franks. The landscaping, designed by Grant Associates, encourages social interaction and community vibrancy within shared courtyards and lanes, reinforcing the balance between liveability and workability.
This project extends dRMM’s longstanding engagement with the area, dating back to their contribution to the LLDC’s Design and Planning Guidance document in 2013. According to senior associate Will Howard, the team has developed an approach allowing industrial land to evolve into cohesive, delightful living and working environments, proving a significant step towards sustainable urban regeneration.
Wick Lane’s design responds directly to the challenges of balancing urban regeneration with preservation and enhancement of local character. Positioned between a conservation area and designated Strategic Industrial Land, the scheme respects the heritage significance of Fish Island’s Victorian warehouses while introducing contemporary architectural diversity inspired by mill-style red brick buildings, 1960s framing, and modern corrugated metal finishes. This nuanced material and typological palette contributes to a place that supports a mixed community—those who live locally alongside those who engage in creative and light industrial employment.
The development has been highlighted in architectural press as a model for integrating housing and industrial uses to create a socially resilient and sustainable urban fabric. By sidestepping conventional mixed-use typologies and instead fostering genuine integration, Wick Lane exemplifies a new standard for urban regeneration that embraces the area’s industrial past while pointing to a vibrant, inclusive future.
However, it is worth noting that another dRMM project in nearby Hackney Wick, known as The Factory, experienced significant setbacks after construction had begun. Taylor Wimpey, the same developer as for Wick Lane, decided to demolish this half-built scheme following reports of potential structural issues. The Factory was a mixed-use scheme comprising three residential and commercial blocks with 148 homes, but after dRMM secured planning permission, the delivery architect changed and Taylor Wimpey halted construction last year. While unrelated to Wick Lane, this contrasting situation emphasises the complexities and risks inherent in large-scale urban regeneration projects in the area.
Ultimately, Wick Lane stands as a testament to the potential of well-considered co-location strategies to nurture both community and commerce within former industrial neighbourhoods, enhancing East London’s urban landscape with sensitive design, robust materiality, and an inclusive vision for living and working side by side.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding dRMM’s mixed-use project in Hackney Wick, with the latest coverage from May 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is from May 2025. The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of recycled content. The presence of updated data, such as recent architectural press features, suggests a high freshness score. However, the lack of coverage from other reputable outlets within the past week may indicate limited dissemination. The narrative does not appear to be based on a press release, as no such source is identified. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The inclusion of updated data without recycling older material justifies a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Will Howard, Senior Associate at dRMM, and Philip Marsh, Director at dRMM. These quotes are consistent with those found in other reputable sources, such as the Architects Journal and The Plan. No variations in wording were noted, indicating the quotes are reused. The absence of online matches for other quotes suggests they may be original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from BD Online, a reputable UK-based construction news outlet. The involvement of dRMM Architects, a well-known firm, and Taylor Wimpey, a major developer, adds credibility. The narrative does not mention any unverifiable entities. However, the lack of coverage from other reputable outlets within the past week may indicate limited dissemination.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative’s claims about the integration of residential and industrial spaces in Hackney Wick align with known urban development trends. The project details, including the number of homes and commercial space, are consistent with information from dRMM’s official website. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The language and tone are consistent with UK English and professional architectural discourse. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for a construction news outlet.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent and plausible information about dRMM’s mixed-use development in Hackney Wick, with consistent quotes and credible sources. However, the lack of coverage from other reputable outlets within the past week and the absence of supporting detail from other sources raise some concerns. Overall, the narrative passes the fact-check with medium confidence.
