Russell Roof Tiles has supplied specialist roof tiles to support the refurbishment of three large apartment blocks at the Stamford Hill Estate in Hackney, London.
The project, delivered by main contractor Chas Berger and roofing specialist Ashton Roofing, forms part of a wider programme by Southern Housing to upgrade its existing housing stock.
Reroofing heritage estate homes in Hackney
The apartment blocks date back to the early 1930s, when large-scale social housing development was taking place across London. The oldest buildings on the estate were constructed in 1932 by The Guinness Partnership, one of England’s oldest and largest affordable housing providers.
Southern Housing, which manages more than 65,000 homes across England, sought to replicate the original design and character of the roofs while improving performance and longevity. With some of the existing roofs approaching 90 years old, finding the right materials to match the original profile and colour was essential.
To meet the brief, Russell Roof Tiles supplied its Double Roman tiles, chosen to closely replicate the original appearance and blend with the surrounding properties.
Balancing heritage and modern performance
James Pendleton, regional sales director at Russell Roof Tiles, said:
“At Russell Roof Tiles, we are committed to supporting each project’s unique requirements. With our wide-ranging colour offering, we ensure that new roofing not only meets the design vision but also preserves the character and heritage of the buildings.
“Throughout the project, we faced unique challenges due to the age of the properties and the complexity of the build. By collaborating closely with Ashton Roofing & Maintenance Ltd and the main contractor Chas Berger Ltd, we enabled completion of all three buildings to an exceptionally high standard, meeting quality, regulatory and energy efficiency needs.”
Jackie Prime, senior contracts manager at Chas Berger, added:
“We have been greatly impressed with Russell Roof Tiles and their ability to deliver a high-quality product that meets our specific aesthetic requirements.”
Preserving London’s architectural character
The Stamford Hill Estate reroofing reflects a broader effort to maintain and modernise London’s historic housing estates. Many of these properties, originally constructed in the interwar years, were built as part of large-scale local authority housing programmes. Between 1934 and 1939, more than 56,000 flats were built in the capital – the most significant wave of housing development before the 21st century.
Southern Housing’s ongoing investment in estate upgrades supports its mission to provide safe, energy-efficient, and affordable homes while preserving the distinctive architectural heritage of its portfolio.
Russell Roof Tiles’ role in social housing and retrofit
Russell Roof Tiles is one of the UK’s leading independent manufacturers of concrete roof tiles and accessories, supplying national housebuilders, commercial projects, and social housing providers. The company manufactures hundreds of thousands of tiles each week, used on pitched roofs across the country.
Its work on the Hackney scheme underlines the importance of collaboration between manufacturers, contractors, and housing associations in delivering sustainable refurbishments that respect the history and identity of local communities.
