• Dominvs group has received resolution to grant for a 713-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Hammersmith
• Permission had previously been granted in December 2020 to deliver two new hotels on the site. However, following strong demand from Higher Education Institutions, the north of the site has been revised to provide high-quality PBSA
• 359 of the student rooms will be provided at affordable rents capped by the Mayor of London and advanced discussions are in place with Imperial College London to take the majority of beds
• The scheme has been designed by internationally renowned architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSH+P), who also designed Dominvs group’s 400-key Premier Inn hotel scheme currently being delivered by Dominvs group at the southern end of the Hammersmith site
• Real estate developer Dominvs group has received resolution to grant planning for a 713-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme, supported by Imperial College London, on the site of a former magistrates court in Hammersmith

Real estate developer Dominvs group has received resolution to grant planning for a 713-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme, supported by Imperial College London, on the site of a former magistrates court in Hammersmith.

Designed by international architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSH+P), the scheme will deliver student housing in close proximity to Imperial College London’s White City Campus. The PBSA scheme represents the northern portion of a larger development which currently has a 400-key hotel under construction, designed by RSH+P and currently being delivered by Dominvs group to the south of the site. Both buildings will target BREEAM Excellent.

We were delighted to work closely with the Community Liaison Group throughout the planning process. 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.”

Jay Ahluwalia, Principle Director, Dominvs group

Dominvs group’s plans for the 181 Talgarth Road site were approved yesterday by the Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s Planning and Transportation Committee.

In addition to the 713 beds, the scheme will feature flexible amenity space, including study and seminar space and an onsite gym. RSH+P, together with award-winning landscape architects Gillespies, have also designed a landscaped garden courtyard at ground level and a mezzanine level with space for pop-ups and events.

Dominvs group is working closely with Imperial College London. Imperial’s student population has increased by almost 20 percent in the last five years, and discussions are advanced for Imperial to take the majority of the rooms once completed. This will aid the university in playing a key Anchor Institution role in the Borough as both an education and employment provider.

As well as Imperial’s White City campus, the site is in close proximity to several local Higher Education Institutions, including LAMDA, RCA White City and West London College.

Dominvs group also made a concerted effort to work with the local community to ensure continual local input over planning and design. This continuous and transparent communication has led to support for the revised scheme from the local community.

359 of the 713 rooms will be affordable, offering a solution to the growing affordability and accessibility gaps in student accommodation around London.

Jay Ahluwalia, Principal at Dominvs group, said:

“Finally, we are pleased to have the support of Imperial College on this scheme and strongly believe the affordable bedrooms – 359 in this case – will be of significant benefit to students in years to come.

“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. This extends our track record of success across student accommodation, hospitality and residential-led developments throughout the capital and beyond.”

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.”

Andrew Partridge, Associate Partner at Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, said:

Engagement with the local community in the early stages of the project has been a wonderful and creative experience. This important relationship, generated through our client, offered RSHP a great opportunity to design a scheme supported by the community on a truly remarkable site.”

John Anderson, Director of Financial Strategy at Imperial College London, said:

Imperial College London has a strategic partnership with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to support inclusive economic growth, sustainable businesses and rapid innovation. We have a shared vision to create a world-class ecosystem centred on close collaboration between academics, students, entrepreneurs, businesses, and residents: the White City Innovation District.

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. 181 Talgarth Road is a short walk from our clinical teaching site at Charing Cross Hospital and a short cycle ride from Hammersmith Hospital. It is well-connected to our growing White City Campus, home to the our Molecular Sciences Hub, School of Public Health and Sir Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub.

Half the student rooms at 181 Talgarth Road will be affordable student rooms delivered to a high specification. We have been working with Dominvs group for these to be allocated to Imperial students. We look forward to continuing to work together with Dominvs group.”