£92m build-to-rent job delayed due to Henry collapse

A £92m project to build 198 homes by Barking Station will arrive two years late after the original contractor, Henry Construction, went bust.

The west London contractor, which fell into administration in 2023, had been appointed the previous year to construct the 28-storey build-to-rent block.

The development at Trocoll House, in Station Parade (pictured), was originally due to be finished in May but is now expected to complete at the end of 2027.

The project investor, Railpen, the rail pensions provider, announced a funding deal three years ago with real estate specialist Revenue & Capital and developer Fifth Capital to create the tower on the site of a now-demolished Wetherspoons pub.

In February, HG Construction was appointed to deliver the Farrells-designed building.

Fifth Capital director Marc Pennick told Construction News the delay was due to the collapse of the work’s original contractor.

“It was caused by Henry Construction going into administration and the re-tendering process for another contractor to deliver the project,” he said.

“We have now partnered with HG Construction and the scheme is progressing extremely well, in line with the new budget and schedule.”

Pennick said the project was now due for completion in 2027 and that the cost had increased due to the impact of Henry’s administration.

HG Construction ceo Adam Quinn said: “HG Construction worked with Fifth Capital and Railpen to unlock the scheme after the previous contractor went into administration. HG was appointed in early 2025 and we are on track with the new delivery programme, targeting completion in December 2027.”

Henry Construction Projects called in administrators on 8 June 2023, owing £43m to suppliers. The administrators are seeking £31.3m from its directors and their relatives.

In their latest report, released earlier this month, joint administrators David Hudson and Geoffrey Rowley of FRP Advisory revealed they had identified more than 5,000 potential creditors.

They said they had received 22 claims to date from suppliers.

Henry Construction had about 60 projects ongoing at the time of its collapse.

Last year, Curo Construction took over a £65m residential scheme in Kent that was left half-finished by Henry. Work on the Charter, a 242-apartment scheme in Gravesend, had started in March 2021.