The Twickenham Riverside redevelopment reached its highest point on 10 November. The 45 homes, half of them affordable, are due to be finished in winter 2027.

The new buildings on Twickenham Riverside have reached their highest point. Builders, council leaders and the contractor Kier marked it with a topping out ceremony on Tuesday 10 November, the council said on Wednesday.

Topping out is the traditional ceremony held when a building’s structure reaches its full height. It does not mean the work is nearly done. The council’s project page gives the completion date as winter 2027, about a year away.

What is being built

The scheme sits between Water Lane and Wharf Lane, on the site of the old Twickenham lido and the buildings that faced the Embankment. According to the council’s project page, it includes:

  • 45 homes across two buildings, half of them affordable
  • of the affordable homes, 81% for rent and 19% shared ownership, with the housing association RHP as partner
  • shops, cafes and offices on the ground floors of both buildings
  • the Diamond Jubilee Gardens rebuilt as public open space between the two blocks
  • a children’s play area with a tree house and climbing wall, pétanque pitches, terraced lawns and tiered seating
  • an events space on the river, and a river activity zone with boat storage and a pontoon
  • a wider pavement on Water Lane, linking the town to the river

Parking on the Embankment between Water Lane and Wharf Lane goes for good, apart from an area kept for servicing Eel Pie Island. The space is being handed to people walking and cycling.

Where the build has got to

Date Milestone Source
24 November 2022 Planning permission granted Council project page
November 2023 Compulsory purchase order confirmed Council project page
March 2026 Demolition finished, groundworks begin Council, March 2026
June 2026 Two tower cranes up, frame work starts Council, 3 June 2026
14 October 2026 Water Lane building frame complete Council, 14 October 2026
10 November 2026 Topping out ceremony Council, 11 November 2026
Winter 2027 Scheduled completion Council project page

Kier’s September newsletter to neighbours said scaffolding was going up around the Water Lane building. Blockwork was starting on its ground floor, forming the shells of the future shop units. The council said in October that the Wharf Lane building’s frame would follow shortly, with scaffolding and the facade after that.

What the council and Kier said

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, called it “a fantastic moment for Twickenham”.

“After so much planning and hard work, we can now see a new riverside taking shape, and there is a great deal to celebrate,” he said.

Councillor Jim Millard, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance and Resources, said the scheme meant “much-needed affordable homes, opportunities for local businesses and a welcoming riverside open to everyone”.

Ivor Allcock, operations manager at Kier, called it “one of the most significant investments in Twickenham town centre for a generation”.

The scheme has not been without opponents. In June the council leader said a “small amount of opposition” had delayed it and added to its costs while construction prices were rising. The council has not given an updated total cost in any of its recent announcements.

What it means for you

  • Construction carries on through 2027. The site works 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, according to Kier’s newsletter. Expect deliveries and scaffolding on Water Lane, Wharf Lane and the Embankment for another year.
  • Questions or complaints about the site go to Kier’s community contact, whose email is in the September newsletter. The newsletter also gives an out-of-hours phone number.
  • The riverside path stays open where possible. The council said in June that access to the river would be kept throughout the works wherever it could be.
  • Updates by email. The council runs a mailing list for the scheme, linked from its Twickenham Riverside page.

Sources