Holborn student digs gets green light after hotel scheme scrapped
The City of London is to get a new 14-storey student accommodation block on its western edge, after City planning officials approved a 644-bedroom scheme by developer Dominvs.
The scheme at 61-65 Holborn Viaduct, EC1, was earmarked for a 12-storey hotel under previously approved plans by Dominvs but the developer pulled the proposal in favour of student digs.
Dominvs’s new scheme will include studios and shared accommodation, 35% of which will be affordable.
The City of London is to get a new 14-storey student accommodation block on its western edge, after City planning officials approved a 644-bedroom scheme by developer Dominvs.
The scheme at 61-65 Holborn Viaduct, EC1, was earmarked for a 12-storey hotel under previously approved plans by Dominvs but the developer pulled the proposal in favour of student digs.
Dominvs’s new scheme will include studios and shared accommodation, 35% of which will be affordable.
The Stiff + Trevillion-designed scheme will also feature cultural and community space on the lower-ground and ground floors.
Developers say the scheme will target a BREEAM Excellent certification, the second highest level in the sustainability ratings.
Alastair Moss, City Corp’s planning chair, said the scheme was “a positive step in the Square Mile’s rapid recovery from the coronavirus pandemic”.
“The addition of new student accommodation will mark another step towards the creation of a thriving 24/7 City and we look forward to welcoming students to this area, who we hope will be the business leaders and innovators of the future.
“We are thrilled at the ongoing confidence shown by world-class universities, developers and investors as we continue to strive to make the City of London ever-more sustainable and inclusive.”
The site was once occupied by a 1950s office building, which was knocked down in 2020. Until last September the site was an open public space known as Gaia’s Garden.
Dominvs’s new student block is likely to be used by the London School of Economics and Political Science, which helped bring the application forward.
Consultants at DP9 wrote that Dominvs had been forced to “re-evaluate” the initial hotel offer at the site because of the pandemic.
They added: “Since the granting of planning consent in December 2020, LSE has emerged with a long-term requirement for purpose-built student accommodation close to its campus and also its students’ hopeful eventual workplace, creating synergy and diversity of use within the City and access to future labour source from important local employers.”
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Image © Stiff + Trevillion
