Oakgrove Waterside Apartments

Project Overview

The Oakgrove Waterside Apartments are a collection of 64 one- and two-bedroom apartments arranged across two five-storey buildings on the banks of the Grand Union Canal. The development capitalises on its exceptional waterside setting, with floor-to-ceiling glazing and private balconies offering panoramic canal views.

The buildings feature a striking contemporary design with white render and dark zinc cladding, creating a distinctive visual identity on the Oakgrove skyline. Communal roof terraces, landscaped gardens, and a residents' lounge complement the private living spaces.

The development was pre-sold to a build-to-rent operator, with Pinnacle delivering the entire project from foundation to furnishing under a design-and-build agreement.

The Challenge

The canal-side location required close engagement with the Canal & River Trust, including flood risk assessment, ecology surveys, and construction method statements to protect the waterway environment. Piling works adjacent to the canal required vibration monitoring and restricted working methods.

The build-to-rent specification demanded higher durability standards than typical residential, with enhanced acoustic performance, robust finishes, and centralised building management systems.

Our Solution

We deployed CFA piling with real-time vibration monitoring to ensure canal infrastructure was not compromised. An ecological management plan protected canal-side habitats, including the installation of floating wildlife habitats adjacent to the development.

Enhanced acoustic specifications were achieved through a combination of increased slab thickness, resilient bars to party walls, and acoustic glazing, exceeding Building Regulations Part E requirements by 5dB across all tested separations.

A centralised BMS system was installed to manage heating, ventilation, and communal lighting from a single platform, reducing the operator's ongoing management costs and energy consumption.

Results & Impact

The development achieved an average EPC B rating, with 30% of units reaching EPC A. The Canal & River Trust commended the project for its sensitive approach to the waterside environment, and the floating wildlife habitats have been adopted as a model for future canal-side developments.

All 64 units were occupied within 3 months of handover, with the build-to-rent operator reporting higher-than-projected rental yields due to the quality of specification and the waterside premium.