The flats, constructed in the 1930s, were in desperate need of refurbishment and the £1.5m project to fully refurbish the structure, carried out by Concrete Repairs Limited (CRL) acting as main contractor, took 40 weeks to complete. The overall scope of the contract included the demolition of old pram sheds and an underground bomb shelter in the central courtyard and their replacement with featured landscaped communal gardens and private patios. Richard Pearman of London Borough of Tower Hamlets commented "The standard of work achieved on the project has been very good, particularly the EWI and the concrete reinstatement finish. The entire contract proceeded very well and the slight delay in completion was caused only by some appalling weather conditions".

Three of the U-shaped structure's facades are listed, which entailed the new works being conducted sympathetically to blend in with the original design. Initially, major restoration work was carried out to the badly spalled and cracked brickwork. The flat roofing was fully upgraded using 1000m2 of cut to falls foamglass insulation, with some areas receiving clay-interlocking pantiles. To improve the structure’s waterproofing qualities, a mixture of new and repaired drainage systems were installed both above and below ground level.

All concrete elements required extensive repair. Deteriorated surfaces were broken back to sound concrete with defined edging and all exposed steel grit blasted to a bright finish. The exposed substrates were pre-dampened and primed before the hand application of polymer-modified mortar to depths between 10 and 75mm. The repair mortar was finished flush and then cured. Once complete, the entire surface received a coat of levelling mortar, applied by trowel with a sponge finish, before being protected with an elastomeric and decorative anti-carbonisation coating. Installation of the EWI system, applied to the building’s inner facing courtyard walls, has dramatically improved the structure’s thermal properties. It has also eliminated problems of condensation and significantly reduced noise encroachment.

"The residents were very forgiving during the grit blasting operations, which were thankfully reduced by dividing the scheme into sections and shortening the disruption time by getting all the works to any single elevation done in one hit", commented Richard Pearman. "The residents have made few complaints overall and many are happy with the quieter communal stairs. Some have expressed concern that their heating does not come on, only to be informed that due to the improved thermal insulation the set temperature has been achieved without the need for additional heating".

CRL has recently launched a new division to be known as CRL Refurbishment. The new division will incorporate multi-disciplined services such as pitched & flat roofing, window replacement or repair, external wall insulation, overcladding and visual improvement, structural repair and protective coatings, corrosion prevention, security systems and lighting, mechanical and electrical services, soft landscaping, drainage works and environmental improvements.