Construction services group ISG, whose eastern region arm is based in Ipswich, has won a £7.2million contract to build a mixed residential and retail development in Watford for affordable housing provider Home Group.

The High Street regeneration project involves the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a three-storey elevation facing the road and a six-storey structure behind, creating 56 homes as well as commercial space.

It has been designed to blend with the surrounding architecture, with the High Street façade exactly imitating the Art Deco style of the former building on the site.

Liam Duffy, ISG’s regional director – east, commented: “Building on our existing relationship with Home Group in Scotland, we are delighted to have secured this keynote regeneration project in Watford.

“This development sensitively retains the character of High Street, providing much needed affordable accommodation within a central location and in a building that boasts strong environmental credentials.”

Darren Blake, head of development at Home Group, added: “As a not-for-profit affordable housing provider, we’re focused on building homes for those who need them. We’re also committed to regenerating areas and building communities and we’re delighted to be working with ISG to bring this site back into use.”

Both green and brown roofs will also be installed to reduce surface run off, absorb CO2 and enhance biodiversity, with ISG set to deliver an attractive hard and soft landscaping scheme as part of the project. The development also includes a number of amenity and roof level terraced areas for residents.

The project is being phased to enable early occupation of the 3,800 sq ft ground floor commercial accommodation, which ISG will hand over as a shell and core unit. The full residential development is scheduled for completion early in 2016.