Apsley Quay
Waterside living designed around place, people and landscape
Client
Bellway Homes
Location
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
RIBA Work Stages
0-7
Services
Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Principal Designer
Overview
Located alongside the River Bulbourne and historic canal network in Hemel Hempstead, Apsley Quay transforms a prominent waterside site into a vibrant residential community. Delivering 170 apartments across two buildings, the development combines contemporary architecture, landscape design and public realm improvements to create a distinctive place that celebrates its unique canal-side setting.
Providing integrated Architecture and Landscape Architecture services from concept design through to completion, the project was shaped by a holistic approach that considered homes, landscape and public spaces as part of a single vision.
Designing with context in mind
The site's prominent canal-side location presented an opportunity to create a development firmly rooted in its surroundings. Rather than replicating historic buildings, the design reinterprets the area's industrial architecture through contemporary forms and materials, creating a distinctive identity that sits comfortably within the established waterside townscape.
Butterfly roofs and metal-framed balconies were introduced as defining architectural elements, referencing the practical, robust character of traditional industrial buildings while helping to create visual interest across the development. The use of brick further reinforces the connection to the site's heritage and contributes to a strong sense of permanence.
Delivering a complex waterside scheme
Building adjacent to an active canal required careful coordination throughout the design and delivery process. Working closely with the Canal & River Trust, BoonBrown developed building details that responded to the operational, safety and maintenance requirements of the canal-side environment. Particular attention was given to the integration of lower-ground parking ventilation and residential interfaces along the towpath.
The project demonstrates the importance of balancing architectural ambition with technical practicality, ensuring a successful outcome for both residents and the wider public realm.
Landscape at the heart of community life
Landscape plays a central role in shaping the resident experience. Two podium-level landscaped courtyards provide valuable communal spaces that encourage relaxation, informal interaction and everyday wellbeing, while offering views across the canal.
A carefully considered planting strategy introduces texture, colour and seasonal interest throughout the year, creating attractive outdoor environments that soften the architecture and strengthen the connection between the development and its waterside setting.
These communal gardens act as the social heart of the development, providing shared spaces where residents can connect with each other and with nature.
At a glance
Scale
170 apartments delivered across two courtyard blocks ranging from three to five storeys, with podium parking and extensive communal spaces.
Design
Architecture inspired by the industrial heritage of the canal-side setting, expressed through strong brick forms, butterfly roofs and metal-framed balconies.
Sustainability
Brownfield regeneration that brings a previously industrial site back into productive use while supporting sustainable residential growth in a highly accessible location.
Wellbeing
Canal-side views, landscaped communal courtyards and generous outdoor spaces create a strong connection between residents and the surrounding environment.
Community
The development strengthens the relationship between new homes and the wider waterside setting, contributing to the continued evolution of the Apsley canal quarter.
Impact
Successfully transformed a challenging former industrial site into a distinctive residential community that celebrates local character while delivering much-needed new homes.
Summary
Apsley Quay takes its cues from the canal, the architecture and the history of the area to create a development that feels both contemporary and familiar. The result is a confident residential destination that reconnects this former industrial site with the wider community and contributes a new chapter to Hemel Hempstead's waterside story.





