Laing O'Rourke Reaches Milestone On London Residential Tower

Laing O'Rourke has reached a major milestone on one of the tallest residential tower projects in London.

The contractor has achieved the topping out stage of Two Fifty One in Southwark, a 41-storey tower containing 335 apartments at the entry to Elephant & Castle.

Other features of the 0.51-acre development includes an eight storey, 35-metre tall, 21,500 sq ft office building, linked at ground level via a WiFi enabled landscaped garden.

Designed by architects Allies & Morrison, the project is 80% complete and first residents are set to be welcomed over the next 12 months.

Components of the building are delivered daily on flatbed trailers and craned in to position, after which they are assembled into the concrete structure and façade. The façade of the building is made up of 1,082 manufactured concrete panels with the aluminium windows and doors already installed before the panels are placed on the building.


This Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) construction process helps to speed up the construction programme, as well as improving consistency and creating a safer working environment.

Ray O'Rourke, Group Chief Executive Officer of Laing O'Rourke, said "Laing O'Rourke is delighted to be continuing its role in the exciting regeneration of Elephant & Castle where we have been part of the emerging landscape for more than 10 years. The Two Fifty One building is our tallest project to date in the area and this high-rise, mixed-use residential and commercial development harnesses engineering excellence and our unique DfMA capability."

Martin Lent, Chief Executive of SCM, the development managers for Two Fifty One said: "We are delighted to have reached such an important milestone in this landmark scheme, which is probably the most iconic building in the Elephant and Castle. Two Fifty One is testament to Elephant and Castle's ongoing transformation, becoming a secure investment in Zone 1. Two Fifty One is setting new standards for Elephant and Castle with its quality of finish, unparalleled amenities and the latest internet technology. We look forward to welcoming our first residents within the next 12 months."

(LM/MH)