New Olympic village legacy designs released

The latest legacy designs for the Olympic village have been released today by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and Lend Lease, despite not having funding secured.

The new images show progress under way on site, after work began in June on the permanent foundations for the first blocks of the Olympic village. A number of leading architects are now in place for the residential plots in the village, with the latest designs detailing the residential schemes along side courtyard areas, pedestrian walkways and new open spaces

Though the economic environment is challenging, we expect to conclude these [discussions] around the turn of the year

David Higgins

David Higgins, chief executive of the ODA, admitted discussions on the funding of the village “continuing”, but added: “Though the economic environment is challenging, we expect to conclude these [discussions] around the turn of the year.”

More than 300 construction workers are now on site carrying out piling works, inserting concrete columns into the soil to reinforce the ground where the first blocks of the Olympic village will sit. Piling works have already been completed on the first block of the Olympic village, with work underway on further blocks.

Planning permission has recently been secured for the first three residential schemes, with favourable comments received about the high level of architectural quality.

Higgins said the new images showed good progress was being made in design and construction work on the Olympic village, which he said would be “one of the strongest legacies from the Games”.

He added it would provide “quality new homes for Londoners, many of which will be affordable, together with new parks, public squares and community facilities.”

The Olympic village will provide accommodation for athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.