• Dominvs group has received planning permission for a 644-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme in the Square Mile, supported by the London School of Economics (LSE)
• Over 35% of the new beds will be affordable, meeting an urgent need for student housing in the Square Mile as the LSE seeks to increase its number of student beds from 4,500 to 6,000 over the next 5 years
• Designed by Stiff + Trevillion Architects and Jonathan Cook Landscape Architects, the site will also enhance the local public realm reinstating pedestrian access to the Museum of London and cultural amenities

Real estate developer Dominvs group has received resolution to grant planning for a 644-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Holborn, supported by the London School of Economics.

Designed by Stiff + Trevillion Architects and Jonathan Cook Landscape Architects, the scheme will deliver urgently needed student housing in the heart of Central London.

Dominvs group’s plans for the 61-65 Holborn Viaduct site were approved by the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee. The consent followed a strong officer’s recommendation in favour of the scheme.

Dominvs group worked closely with the London School of Economics on the scheme, located at a few minutes’ walk from the university’s main campus. The LSE seeks to increase its number of student beds from 4,500 to 6,000 over the next 5 years, following the Government’s recent commitment to the enrolment of 600,000 international students by 2030.

In line with Dominvs group’s commitment to social value, the development will deliver high quality space for student interaction as well as amenity space for the local community. Building upon the success of the award winning meanwhile use Gaia’s Garden cultural project which was held on site, the ground floor will house a mix of cultural and performance space in partnership with the Creative Land Trust, a charity supported by the Mayor for London and Arts Council England, for the local community to exhibit artworks and collaborate.

From extensive consultation with the City Corporation and key local stakeholders we sought fresh thinking, submitting a scheme that enriches the existing neighbourhood while meeting the need for purpose-built student accommodation in the area.”

Jay Ahluwalia, Director, Dominvs group

The local community and wider general public will also benefit from an improved public realm, including a new viaduct connecting Holborn Viaduct and Snow Hill, as well as a gateway to the new Museum of London at Smithfield’s. The public will also have access to a roof terrace offering panoramic views across the east of the city towards St Paul’s Cathedral.

The completed project will give students access to an on-site cafe/bar, cinema room, music rooms, games area and gym.

Students will also benefit from access to local public transport and 494 long-term and 32 short stay cycle parking spaces, of which 5% will be accessible for adapted cycles.

The development will target BREEAM Excellent and has been designed to be climate resilient – including urban greening and water saving measures – with the aim of reducing operational carbon emissions.

The 644 rooms provide a mix of bedroom types including studios, two-dios and ensuites including cluster apartments, with 64 rooms proposed as wheelchair accessible.

Jay Ahluwalia, Director at Dominvs group, said:

“Our scheme introduces a new, highly sustainable building of exemplary design quality, including cultural and community use across ground floor level, a publicly accessible roof terrace with views towards St. Paul’s Cathedral, and significant public realm improvements, including active frontages and a new pedestrian route connecting Holborn Viaduct with the Museum of London.

“The application was brought forward with support from the London School of Economics and we are working with the Creative Land Trust to help deliver an exciting cultural and community use offer.”