Sixty-eight flats in £2bn luxury Kensington block to be given to Grenfell Tower families

A number of Grenfell Tower families are to be housed in a £2bn luxury development, which boasts a private cinema and swimming pool.

Brand-new flats in a Kensington High Street development have been bought for those who lost their homes in the blaze, according to the Evening Standard.

The private flats in the block start at £1.5m, however the apartments that will rehouse the families are part of the 120 affordable homes being built alongside them.

Penthouses in the development are expected to go for £13m, and flats in the building are expected to be purchased to permanently house Grenfell families.

The City of London Corporation is acquiring the 68 flats for around £10m as part of the response to the tragedy. A spokesman told the Evening Standard: “We are ready to do everything we can to help the victims of the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower.”

A spokesman for the Berkeley Group, which is building the development under the St Edward brand alongside Prudential confirmed they were finalising plans to rehouse Grenfell Tower residents. It is understood that the company was keen to do something to help the survivors of the fire, selling them at cost price, and have brought forward the date they will be ready. 

Tony Pidgley, the Berkeley Group chairman, said: "We've got to start by finding each of them a home.

"Somewhere safe and supportive, close to their friends and the places they know, so they can start to rebuild their lives. We will work night and day to get these homes ready."

Alex Jeffrey, Chief Executive, M&G Real Estate, which manages the property interests of Prudential, added: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the Grenfell Tower fire and are obviously relieved that we can help in some small way by providing homes of high quality within the Borough to some of the families who have been affected.”

The deal was brokered by the Homes and Communities Agency on behalf of the government.

As well as other luxury amenities, the block features a 24-hour concierge service and a gym.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our priority is to get everyone who has lost their home permanently rehoused locally as soon as possible, so that they can begin to rebuild their lives.”

This move comes after Jeremy Corbyn asked for empty luxury homes in the area to be requisitioned and given to the victims.