Work has started on Firethorn Living’s £30 million project to deliver 204 modern student beds in Hackney Wick, integrating heritage conservation with sustainable design and community facilities, ahead of the 2027/28 academic year.
Work has commenced on the Firethorn Living student accommodation project located on the grounds of the former Broadwood piano factory in Hackney Wick, east London, near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Developed by Firethorn Trust and constructed by HG Construction, the scheme will provide 204 student bed spaces, with 35 percent designated as affordable accommodation. The development notably preserves the site’s historic brick chimney, originally built in 1902, maintaining a link to the location’s industrial heritage.
The project is carefully designed to meet modern student needs and sustainability benchmarks. Alongside the living spaces, the development includes amenities such as modern co-working study areas, communal rooms, a private dining space, a gym, and two outdoor roof terraces. Firethorn is seeking to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for sustainability, reflecting growing industry emphasis on environmentally responsible construction. Furthermore, approximately 1,400 square metres of affordable and incubator workspace will be created within the development to support local creative businesses and entrepreneurs, illustrating the commitment to integrating student housing with local economic development.
Situated within a 15-minute walking distance of University Arts London and UCL East, the project aligns with the London Plan, which guides sustainable development across the capital. Under this framework, 51 percent of the accommodation—encompassing the affordable rooms—will be nominated to a London university partner. The remaining bed spaces will be available for direct let to students, offering a mix of options for university-affiliated and independent residents.
Firethorn Trust is expanding its student accommodation portfolio under its Living platform, with this development marking its third purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project in the UK, following sites in Stratford, London, and Leith Walk, Edinburgh. The Edinburgh scheme has recently reached the topping-out stage and is due for practical completion in September 2026. Firethorn’s broader portfolio also includes the delivery of a 138-bedroom hostel in Dublin and an office-to-residential conversion project in central London.
Paul Martin, development director at Firethorn, expressed optimism about the collaboration with HG Construction, highlighting their expertise in delivering modern PBSA schemes and local knowledge as key factors in the partnership’s success. The scheme is targeted for completion in time for the 2027/28 academic year, contributing much-needed student accommodation in an area undergoing substantial regeneration and growth.
While the contract value has not been officially disclosed, industry reports estimate the project could be worth around £30 million. This investment reflects ongoing demand for well-designed, affordable student housing in London, a sector critical to supporting the capital’s large and diverse student population.
Overall, the Firethorn Living Hackney Wick development exemplifies a strategic approach to student accommodation that balances heritage preservation, sustainability, and community engagement, positioning it as a significant addition to the London PBSA market.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraphs 1 and 2 – [1], [2], [3], [4]
- Paragraph 3 – [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]
- Paragraph 4 – [1], [2], [4]
- Paragraph 5 – [1], [2]
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 was published 13 hours ago, indicating high freshness. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 19 December 2019, when Future Generation secured planning permission for a £80m student accommodation scheme in Hackney Wick. ([theconstructionindex.co.uk](https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/go-ahead-for-80m-hackney-wick-student-rooms?utm_source=openai)) The current report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. No republishing across low-quality sites or clickbait networks was found.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quote from Paul Martin, development director at Firethorn, appears to be original, with no identical matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in wording were noted.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Construction Index, a reputable UK construction news outlet. However, it is not as widely recognised as major news organisations like the BBC or Reuters. The report mentions Firethorn Trust, which has a public presence and a legitimate website, indicating the company is verifiable.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the development’s location, design, and amenities are plausible and align with industry standards for student accommodation projects. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic, with no strange phrasing or incorrect spelling variants. The structure is focused and relevant, with no excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for a corporate announcement, with no signs of being unusually dramatic or vague.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is recent and appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The direct quote from Paul Martin seems original, suggesting potentially exclusive content. The Construction Index is a reputable source, and Firethorn Trust is a verifiable company. However, the lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets and the recycling of older material raise concerns about the narrative’s originality and potential disinformation. Given these factors, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with medium confidence.
Supercharge Your Content Strategy
Feel free to test this content on your social media sites to see whether it works for your community.
