Developer chaired by former chancellor Philip Hammond set to build luxury apartments opposite Lord’s cricket ground

A developer chaired by former chancellor Philip Hammond is set to start on its debut scheme in the UK after buying a plot opposite Lord’s cricket ground which it will turn into high-end residential apartments.

Innovo is based in Dubai but has several offices elsewhere including Toronto, Cairo and Abu Dhabi.

Its UK arm, which is based in London, has bought a brownfield site opposite Lord’s in St John’s Wood which it says it will turn into 89 apartments.

Firms working on the plans include architect Apt, the practice behind the stalled Hill House office scheme in the City, along with landscape practice Andy Sturgeon Design and two interior design studios, Goddard Littlefair and Bowler James Brindley. The work is due to finish in 2029.

Innovo said: “The St John’s Wood Road scheme marks the first site in Innovo’s wider identified pipeline of high-value residential and commercial projects in London.”

Innovo Developments UK is led by managing director Brendon Moss who oversaw the redevelopment of the former Chelsea Barracks for Qatari Diar, which was carried out by Mace and Multiplex.

The St John’s Wood area is home to a growing number of high-end residential projects being planned by developers.

Last year, Multiplex picked up a job to build a nine-block residential scheme on the former barracks of the King’s ceremonial horse guards regiment in Westminster.

It was appointed to the £450m shell and core contract of the 179-home St John’s Wood Barracks scheme by development manager St John’s Wood Square Development Limited.

The unit was stationed at St John’s Wood Barracks from 1880 to 2012, when it was acquired by Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan for £250m.