McAleer & Rushe breaks ground on £42.7m luxury later‑living scheme at Kew waterfront

Work has started on The Watermark, an 88‑apartment, £42.7m extra‑care development by Elysian Residences beside the Thames in Kew, with McAleer & Rushe appointed principal contractor and completion targeted for spring 2027.

McAleer & Rushe has started work on The Watermark, a £42.7 million luxury later‑living development for Elysian Residences on Melliss Avenue in Kew, south‑west London. Construction News reported the contractor has “broken ground” on the riverside site formerly occupied by the Biothane plant; planning records and the developer’s own material describe a scheme of 88 apartments with completion scheduled for spring 2027. The development sits within walking distance of Kew Gardens and Kew Village and is being marketed as high‑end retirement living that couples private accommodation with onsite hospitality and care services.

The Watermark is designed as a four‑to‑six storey specialist extra‑care facility. Planning documents and the project’s promotional material say the scheme will include landscaped gardens, resident amenity spaces, car and cycle parking, and a package of communal healthcare, therapy and leisure facilities — notably a restaurant and a fully accessible swimming pool. Ryder Architecture is the design lead and McAleer & Rushe is delivering the main contract under a design‑and‑build arrangement, acting as principal contractor for the project.

The proposal has been on the local radar for some time. Richmond upon Thames council granted planning permission for the redevelopment on 16 September 2020, authorising demolition of existing structures and the creation of the extra‑care facility together with publicly accessible amenity space. Local reporting and council records note the redundant industrial site had been largely unused since Thames Water vacated in 2015, and demolition work to clear tanks and plant was reported to have begun in a phased programme in late 2023 ahead of the current main‑contract works.

On‑site progress has already moved beyond preparatory talk. A community newsletter published by the developer in July 2025 confirms McAleer & Rushe were appointed principal contractor and began on site in May, listing early works including delivery of temporary welfare cabins, groundworks, installation of security and environmental monitors, an attenuation tank and the erection of a tower crane. The newsletter states the project is registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme and sets out contact details for community liaison, naming McAleer & Rushe’s project manager and site manager.

The Watermark forms part of Elysian Residences’ growing portfolio of branded retirement communities. Elysian’s website emphasises optional onsite care, hospitality‑style services and an emphasis on resident wellbeing and social life; a housing directory entry adds that the scheme will offer one, two and three‑bed leasehold apartments with 24/7 staffing and guest facilities. The project announcement also quoted McAleer & Rushe project director Patrick Coyle saying the development would “showcase our expertise in delivering complex, high‑end residential schemes that combine quality, comfort and community.” Elysian chief executive Gavin Stein was quoted in the developer’s statement as saying the scheme reflects the company’s commitment to “exceptional retirement living, combining outstanding design, luxury amenities and a welcoming community.”

While the developer and contractor stress the scheme’s benefits for prospective residents and the local area, planning documents make clear the project required mitigation measures and neighbour notifications during demolition and construction. The approved consent specifically requires landscaping, publicly accessible amenity and other measures intended to balance the new development with its riverside setting and neighbouring properties, and local reporting of the demolition phase highlighted the need for careful management of tank removal and other groundworks.

With works under way, the programme remains for a spring 2027 completion. Elysian’s sales material indicates availability information and contacts for prospective residents, and the project team — now operating on site and registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme — is positioning the scheme to open in line with the stated timetable.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated 18 August 2025, and reports on McAleer & Rushe commencing work on The Watermark, a £42.7 million luxury later-living development in Kew, London. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 18 August 2025, indicating freshness. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([constructionnews.co.uk](https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/contracts/mcaleer-rushe-lands-76m-later-living-scheme-27-03-2024/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from McAleer & Rushe project director Patrick Coyle and Elysian chief executive Gavin Stein. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating originality. No variations in quote wording were found.

Source reliability

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative originates from Construction News, a reputable UK construction industry publication. The developer, Elysian Residences, has a public presence with a legitimate website. McAleer & Rushe is a well-known contractor with a verified public presence. No unverifiable entities were mentioned.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative reports on a £42.7 million luxury later-living development in Kew, London, with completion scheduled for spring 2027. The project is designed as a four-to-six storey specialist extra-care facility, including landscaped gardens, resident amenity spaces, and communal healthcare facilities. The developer and contractor are reputable, and the project aligns with current trends in luxury retirement living. The tone and language are consistent with typical corporate communications.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is recent, includes original quotes, originates from a reputable source, and presents plausible information consistent with current industry trends. No significant credibility risks were identified.