21st Century Model Estate

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire on June 14, 2017, Lancaster West residents found their community overshadowed by the tragedy. Ash from the burned tower continued to settle across the estate, turning the once-lively neighbourhood into a stark reminder of the disaster.

Years of neglect and inadequate maintenance by the former housing management had already eroded residents’ trust, and the fire only deepened their wounds. Thousands of community members, many with lifelong connections, were left traumatised.

The charred remains of the tower, now wrapped in plastic, have become a permanent and haunting presence for those living in Lancaster West Estate. Beyond these physical reminders, the fire highlighted longstanding issues of displacement and gentrification that have affected the estate for years.

Efforts to redevelop Lancaster West Estate aimed to create a “mixed-income” community have instead raised living costs for low-income residents and altered the area’s social fabric. The installation of flammable cladding on Grenfell Tower was part of this redevelopment strategy, where aesthetic appeal was prioritised over safety to please affluent nearby residents.

Residents have seen the destruction of shared spaces that once served as community hubs, like the football pitches below the tower, undermining areas that used to promote unity and togetherness.

Amid a cost of living crisis that hit the most vulnerable the hardest, the redevelopment has also led to increased expenses for residents, adding financial stress to an already difficult situation.

Despite promises of thorough, resident-led renovations and the development of a modern social housing estate, many remain doubtful.

As the seventh anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire nears, Lancaster West Estate residents continue to live under its shadow, coping with the physical, emotional, mental, and socio-economic impacts that have reshaped their community. Their experiences underscore the human cost of neglect, displacement, and the persistent struggle for safe, affordable housing in the heart of one of the world’s wealthiest boroughs.