The enabling works and basement box programme has completed at Dominus’ landmark 669-bed student accommodation scheme at 65 Holborn Viaduct. The complex package of works was successfully delivered by a project team led by specialist engineering contractor McGee. The site has now been formally handed over to McAleer & Rushe, who will lead the main construction phase through to completion in August 2027.
Designed by Stiff + Trevillion Architects, the scheme will provide a mix of bedroom types including studios, two-dios and cluster apartments. Of the 669 beds, 35% will be delivered as affordable, with 64 rooms designed to be wheelchair accessible. Residents will enjoy a prime central London location with outstanding access to public transport. The development will include long and short-stay cycle parking spaces, with 5% designed to accommodate adapted cycles.
On-site amenities will feature wellness zones, communal dining areas, study hubs, music practice rooms, games area and a gym, offering a vibrant and inclusive living environment. The ground floor will provide cultural and community space for artists and creatives, delivered in partnership with the Creative Land Trust. A landscaped publicly accessible roof terrace will provide panoramic views across the capital.
McGee have been involved in the scheme since 2020, and developed the solution to unlock this challenging site. Since starting physical works in December 2022, McGee’s activities have included enabling works, basement box construction and, in addition to the initial scope, the construction of the main core to Level 12 and superstructure works to Level 1, which provides the platform for structural steel works to commence.
The presence of the Network Rail Thameslink tunnel and the disused platform at Snow Hill beneath the site, presented an additional engineering challenge. McGee designed a solution for creating a new independent structure that could support the future building, completing five hand-dug caisson piles through the tunnel, in addition to installing concrete encased columns , designed by Robert Bird Group, onto the piles.
Olivia Burton, Senior Development Manager, Dominus, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their significant efforts to date in achieving this milestone. The site presented a number of technical build challenges, which we have worked closely with McGee and the wider project team to successfully overcome. The handover to McAleer and Rushe marks a significant step forward to completing this project in August 2027. 65 Holborn Viaduct reflects our commitment to deliver market-leading schemes at a time when London faces an increasing shortage of student homes.”
Seb Fossey, Group Managing Director, McGee, said: “McGee have been involved in this most complex of projects since around 2020 and worked with the Dominus team to develop an engineering solution which unlocked a very challenging site, and to manage stakeholders. Our experienced team developed our concept design into a buildable solution, managed local community relationships whilst delivering the basement and structural works, Network Rail Thameslink tunnel works, and RC core construction back to the client safely, and in accordance with the plan in advance of the next stage of the development. Well done to everyone involved in making this happen, and we wish Dominus the very best of luck for the follow-on works.”
To support Dominus’ growing pipeline of projects, Dominus is adding to its development team to boost its capacity to deliver ambitious schemes in both the hotel and student living sectors.
In addition to Holborn Viaduct, Dominus is on-site delivering more than 1,600 more student beds at two major sites: 65 Crutched Friars and 65 Fleet Street.
In June, Dominus celebrated the completion of Scape Hammersmith, its first PBSA scheme, delivered in partnership with Scape. The 713-bed development is the first in London to deliver 50% Affordable student accommodation under the London Plan 2021 and was backed by the UK’s largest PBSA forward funding deal at £173.25 million.
Photo credits: Chris Winter/Dominus
