Double handover for Russell WBHO at Chatham

Set directly on the dockside, The Kell is a mixed-use luxury PRS scheme providing 192 one, two and three bedroom apartments across two interconnected blocks – one six and one seven storey – with four ground floor retail units below.

Representatives from Peel L&P and Russell WBHO were joined by those from Long Harbour, the private fund which will operate the apartments under its Way of Life brand, and Medway Council for an official opening.

Arriving at the event in style were Peel L&P director James Whittaker and Andrew Russell, joint managing director of Russell WBHO, who rode in after completing the 187km-seventh leg of a charity fundraiser CycleBlighty4WaterAid.

The Peel L&P boss, who has almost doubled his fundraising target of £25,000 to help the charity provide clean water for communities in Africa, has undertaken a 5,700km journey around the whole UK coastline.

Following the official opening, Andrew Russell also handed over a cheque for £1,500 towards the fundraiser on behalf of his team. He said: “We’re delighted to mark the completion of the project and play our part in this exciting regeneration programme. I want to thank the Russell WBHO team, our sub-contractors, suppliers and partners who have done a fantastic job despite all of the challenges of the last year.

“In recognition of James’ incredible fundraising challenge, we’ve made a donation to help change lives in the poorest communities with the provision of clean water. Cycling the whole coastline is an epic challenge and I was honoured to join James for the day.”

Designed by Manchester architects AHR, the building is the first PRS scheme to complete at the former naval dockyard as part of Peel L&P’s £650million Chatham Waters Masterplan. The 10.5 hectare regeneration programme will bring forward more than 950 new homes and 430,000 sq ft of commercial office space, plus retail, leisure, and education uses.

Apartments will be available for private rent, each boasting high specification finish, a private balcony, use of the communal podium garden and access to both car parking and bike store facilities.

James Whittaker, Peel L&P’s Executive Director for Development, said: “The building looks fantastic and we’re very pleased with the overall project. As ever, Russell WBHO has been an excellent construction partner in bringing to life our vision for high quality new homes in this stunning setting.”

He added: “It was great to have Andrew along for the ride, keeping me company on what proved to a tough leg of the journey, battling wind and rain to ride into the project together. I’m hugely grateful for the corporate donation towards the fundraising total, as I’m sure Water Aid will be, and for all support receive from friends, family, colleagues and the public for myself and the charity.”