Dominvs gains consent for 713-bed Hammersmith student scheme
Dominvs has secured permission for a 713-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme on the site of a disused magistrates court from Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
The site, at 181 Talgarth Road, was previously consented for two hotels in 2020. However, proposals were revised last year to shrink the hotel offer, amid the hospitality sector’s struggles during the pandemic.
The scheme includes 359 rooms on “affordable” rents capped by the mayor of London, as well as flexible amenity space, study and seminar space, a gym and spaces for pop-ups and events. Dominvs said it is in advanced talks with Imperial College London to take the majority of beds.
Dominvs has secured permission for a 713-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme on the site of a disused magistrates court from Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
The site, at 181 Talgarth Road, was previously consented for two hotels in 2020. However, proposals were revised last year to shrink the hotel offer, amid the hospitality sector’s struggles during the pandemic.
The scheme includes 359 rooms on “affordable” rents capped by the mayor of London, as well as flexible amenity space, study and seminar space, a gym and spaces for pop-ups and events. Dominvs said it is in advanced talks with Imperial College London to take the majority of beds.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners is designing the scheme, as well as Dominvs’ 400-bedroom Premier Inn hotel at the southern end of the site.
Jay Ahluwalia, principal at Dominvs Group, said: “The mixed-use nature of our proposal speaks to our ability to continually create value across different asset classes in response to the needs of the local area and market conditions.”
He added: “Earning the support of the community was a priority for us in this new scheme and we are proud to have seen local groups speaking in favour of our application yesterday.”
Ivan Harbour, senior partner at Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, said: “As an important part of central Hammersmith’s urban renewal, this building and its adjacent square will mark the town centre when approaching from central London.
“In doing so, it will bring much needed activity to a currently challenging location and a significant extension of the public realm that, we hope, will eventually connect with LAMDA and Barons Court Station beyond.”
John Anderson, director of financial strategy at Imperial College London, said: “A key factor in sustaining any successful innovation ecosystem is the sufficient availability of affordable and fit-for-purpose accommodation for critical communities of rare talent.
“Opportunities like this will increase the capacity to ensure that talent can emerge from any background and not just the most privileged.”
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Images from Dominvs/Rogers Stirk Harbour
