Greystar welcomes new residents to Freans House as Pearl Yard Bermondsey takes shape
Press Release
February 26, 2026
London, 25 February 2026 – Greystar, a global leader in the investment, development and management of high-quality rental housing, has welcomed new residents to Freans House, the latest building to complete at Pearl Yard Bermondsey, as the wider neighbourhood continues to take shape.
The completion and handover of Freans House marks continued progress in the transformation of the former Peek Freans Biscuit Factory site into a new residential quarter for Bermondsey. Once complete, Pearl Yard Bermondsey will deliver over 1,600 rental homes, ranging from studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a comprehensive amenity offer designed to support modern living in one of London’s most characterful neighbourhoods.
A total of 121 homes have now been delivered at Freans House, with a further 188 homes within the building scheduled for completion by June. The building has been constructed by McAleer & Rushe and designed by HTA Design, building on KPF’s original masterplan for the wider site.
Residents have access to a range of amenities designed to support wellbeing, productivity and social connection. Located on the top level are a gym, yoga studio, games room, two outdoor terraces, a club lounge and a private dining room. At ground level, residents benefit from an arts club with grand piano, co-working space and a dedicated pet spa.
Interiors and amenities at Freans House have been designed by Johnson Naylor drawing inspiration from Ada Salter’s Beautification of Bermondsey. The design introduces a vertical rhythm through fitted joinery and wall detailing that echoes the surrounding tree-lined streets. Golden tones animate the health and wellness spaces, while richer autumnal hues define the private dining room.
A thoughtfully curated furniture collection has been designed and supplied by leading furniture specialist Fika Interiors, combining distinctive design with long-term durability. The scheme includes individually selected statement pieces, alongside a bespoke bed created exclusively for Greystar, with custom finishes applied throughout to ensure a cohesive and elevated living experience.
Bronwyn Jones, Development Director, Greystar, said: “Welcoming residents to Freans House marks an important moment for Pearl Yard Bermondsey as this new neighbourhood comes to life. Our focus has always been on more than buildings. It is about creating a place with character and high-quality shared spaces that encourage connection. As further phases complete over the next year, that vision will become increasingly tangible.”
Darragh Greenan, Director, McAleer & Rushe, said: “The completion and handover of Freans House marks a proud milestone for the entire project team and a significant step forward in the delivery of Pearl Yard Bermondsey. Seeing residents move into their new homes is always the most rewarding stage of any development, and this moment reflects the collaborative effort between McAleer & Rushe, Greystar and our consultant and supply chain partners. We look forward to continuing our work across the remaining phases as we help bring this regeneration project to full completion.”
Colin Ainger, Partner, HTA Design, said: “Building on KPF’s original masterplan, we’re proud to help bring this new neighbourhood to life with Greystar, and to see new residents now moving into their homes at Freans House. The delivery of the first buildings with McAleer & Rushe, and the new connecting street shaped around retained mature London Plane trees, already show how the wider masterplan will transform this long-neglected site, creating better connected public spaces, planted streets, places to play and well-designed new homes for all.”
Joel Geoghegan, Managing Partner, Johnson Naylor, said: “Our vision for Freans House was to create interiors that feel rooted in Bermondsey’s heritage while supporting modern rental living. Drawing inspiration from Ada Salter’s Beautification of Bermondsey, we introduced a vertical rhythm through fitted joinery and wall detailing that echoes the surrounding tree-lined streets. Across the amenity spaces, we layered natural materials, organic pattern and carefully curated artwork to balance urban energy with warmth and texture, creating environments that feel both characterful and restorative.”
Graham Bates, CEO of Fika Interiors, said: “At Freans House, our ambition was to move beyond the feel of a typical rental apartment and instead create spaces that feel considered, comfortable and genuinely homely from the moment residents walk through the door. Every piece has been carefully selected or designed to balance character, quality and longevity — helping residents feel not that they are renting, but that they truly belong.”
The completion and handover of Freans House marks continued progress in the transformation of the former Peek Freans Biscuit Factory site into a new residential quarter for Bermondsey. Once complete, Pearl Yard Bermondsey will deliver over 1,600 rental homes, ranging from studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a comprehensive amenity offer designed to support modern living in one of London’s most characterful neighbourhoods.
A total of 121 homes have now been delivered at Freans House, with a further 188 homes within the building scheduled for completion by June. The building has been constructed by McAleer & Rushe and designed by HTA Design, building on KPF’s original masterplan for the wider site.
Residents have access to a range of amenities designed to support wellbeing, productivity and social connection. Located on the top level are a gym, yoga studio, games room, two outdoor terraces, a club lounge and a private dining room. At ground level, residents benefit from an arts club with grand piano, co-working space and a dedicated pet spa.
Interiors and amenities at Freans House have been designed by Johnson Naylor drawing inspiration from Ada Salter’s Beautification of Bermondsey. The design introduces a vertical rhythm through fitted joinery and wall detailing that echoes the surrounding tree-lined streets. Golden tones animate the health and wellness spaces, while richer autumnal hues define the private dining room.
A thoughtfully curated furniture collection has been designed and supplied by leading furniture specialist Fika Interiors, combining distinctive design with long-term durability. The scheme includes individually selected statement pieces, alongside a bespoke bed created exclusively for Greystar, with custom finishes applied throughout to ensure a cohesive and elevated living experience.
Bronwyn Jones, Development Director, Greystar, said: “Welcoming residents to Freans House marks an important moment for Pearl Yard Bermondsey as this new neighbourhood comes to life. Our focus has always been on more than buildings. It is about creating a place with character and high-quality shared spaces that encourage connection. As further phases complete over the next year, that vision will become increasingly tangible.”
Darragh Greenan, Director, McAleer & Rushe, said: “The completion and handover of Freans House marks a proud milestone for the entire project team and a significant step forward in the delivery of Pearl Yard Bermondsey. Seeing residents move into their new homes is always the most rewarding stage of any development, and this moment reflects the collaborative effort between McAleer & Rushe, Greystar and our consultant and supply chain partners. We look forward to continuing our work across the remaining phases as we help bring this regeneration project to full completion.”
Colin Ainger, Partner, HTA Design, said: “Building on KPF’s original masterplan, we’re proud to help bring this new neighbourhood to life with Greystar, and to see new residents now moving into their homes at Freans House. The delivery of the first buildings with McAleer & Rushe, and the new connecting street shaped around retained mature London Plane trees, already show how the wider masterplan will transform this long-neglected site, creating better connected public spaces, planted streets, places to play and well-designed new homes for all.”
Joel Geoghegan, Managing Partner, Johnson Naylor, said: “Our vision for Freans House was to create interiors that feel rooted in Bermondsey’s heritage while supporting modern rental living. Drawing inspiration from Ada Salter’s Beautification of Bermondsey, we introduced a vertical rhythm through fitted joinery and wall detailing that echoes the surrounding tree-lined streets. Across the amenity spaces, we layered natural materials, organic pattern and carefully curated artwork to balance urban energy with warmth and texture, creating environments that feel both characterful and restorative.”
Graham Bates, CEO of Fika Interiors, said: “At Freans House, our ambition was to move beyond the feel of a typical rental apartment and instead create spaces that feel considered, comfortable and genuinely homely from the moment residents walk through the door. Every piece has been carefully selected or designed to balance character, quality and longevity — helping residents feel not that they are renting, but that they truly belong.”