Innovative developer Stanhope has revealed its ambition to break into the housing market.
The company, which has based its reputation on high-quality office design, intends to set up its own housing development arm.

Stanhope director Peter Rogers said: “There might be a business in housing – it is an area that has an immense need.”

Rogers added that Stanhope is examining ways of speeding up housing delivery as well as improving its quality. The firm is considering using techniques similar to those pioneered at its Broadgate office scheme in the City of London during the 1980s.

Stanhope has started work on a housing project in east London. The Stratford Rail Lands project is centred on plans for an international rail station that will serve the proposed CrossRail and Channel Tunnel Rail Links.

In the past month, Stanhope chief executive Sir Stuart Lipton was reappointed as chairman of Cabe, and Peter Rogers was appointed chairman of the strategic forum.