Lewisham tenants face another year displaced by 'worst building' flooding
Get Living development The Filigree may not reopen until October 2027 after a mains water pipe burst.
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Residents of The Filigree, a build-to-rent development in Lewisham, face continued displacement for potentially another year due to catastrophic flooding that began in February 2025. A burst mains water pipe in the basement of the site's energy centre forced all 437 tenants to evacuate their homes and move into emergency temporary accommodation.
The developer, Get Living, announced via Instagram that the site may not be ready to reopen until October 2027. This represents a significant delay from initial estimates provided by Lewisham Council, which suggested residents could return within six to 12 months of the incident.
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Council frustration over communication
Lewisham Council has voiced concerns regarding the level of communication from Get Living about the repair plans and the timeline for reopening. A January 2026 council press release noted "minimal communication" from the developer. Councillors had previously been informed that the site would reopen by October 2026.
Councillor James-J Walsh, who served as Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration and Planning under the previous Labour administration, stated that Lewisham Council granted planning permission with the clear expectation that the development would be fully operational by now. He added that this expectation has not been met.
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The Filigree development, located on Link Way, comprises five buildings and includes 649 rental apartments, co-living spaces, and ground-floor commercial units. It was completed in August 2024.
Resident impact and developer response
Adam Pugh, a resident who moved into The Filigree in November 2024, highlighted the financial impact on tenants, noting costs incurred for removal vans, decorators, and furniture for flats that are now uninhabitable. He expressed a desire for reimbursement of these expenses.
Get Living has offered to relocate displaced tenants to their other developments at the same rental rates, provided they retain their tenancies at The Filigree. Under this arrangement, affected residents would not be required to pay council tax during their displacement. The developer has also provided tenants with the option to terminate their leases entirely.
In December 2025, then-Councillor Liam Shrivastava, now the Mayor of Lewisham, described the development as a "litany of housebuilding failures in Lewisham" and called the extended displacement "totally unacceptable," noting that many residents were housed outside of the borough. During campaigning for the May 2026 elections, he labelled the development an "unmitigated disaster."
In June 2026, the publication The Fence named The Filigree "the very worst new building" in the UK as part of its Carbuncle Cup awards.
What happens next
Get Living has not yet responded to requests for comment from EastLondonLines. The current projected reopening date for The Filigree is October 2027, meaning tenants could remain displaced for over three years from the initial incident.
Questions this report answers
+Why are tenants displaced from The Filigree?
Tenants were forced to leave The Filigree in February 2025 after a mains water pipe burst in the basement of the energy centre. This caused catastrophic flooding, making the building uninhabitable and leading to the displacement of 437 tenants.
+When is The Filigree expected to reopen?
Developer Get Living has indicated that The Filigree may not reopen until October 2027. This is a significant delay from initial estimates, which suggested residents could return within six to 12 months of the flooding incident.
+What has Lewisham Council said about the situation?
Lewisham Council has expressed frustration over the minimal communication from Get Living regarding repair plans and the reopening timeline. Councillors have stated that the development has not met the expectations set when planning permission was granted.
+What options are available to displaced tenants?
Get Living is offering to move tenants into their other developments at the same rent, provided they keep their Filigree tenancies. Tenants also have the option to terminate their leases. They will not pay council tax while in temporary accommodation under Get Living's plan.
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