Tallest coliving scheme in UK secures Gateway 2 approval

UK: Olympian Homes’ Canary Wharf coliving development has received Gateway 2 approval. The 46-storey tower would be the tallest coliving scheme in the country.

Under Olympian Homes’ Vivus Living brand, 833 studio apartments averaging 24 square meters will be spread across 46 storeys.

Olympian plans to incorporate amenities throughout the building. Amenities will include commercial-sized gyms, spa and wellness space and lounge, dining and working areas, sky lounge and a cinema. Also planned for the coliving project are hotel-style accommodations, like private meeting and function rooms, a 24-hour concierge and room service. 

The first Vivus Living development, demolition will begin 1 April. Real estate services company Savills are in charge of obtaining equity partners for the Marsh Wall plan as well as for the brand’s roll out.

“This milestone is the culmination of five years’ hard work on the planning and the Gateway 2 process,” Olympian chairman Mark Slatter said. “It has not been easy but the BSR regime is improving all the time. In my 33 years in the business this scheme and the Vivus brand is by far the most exciting project I have been involved with and we look forward to finding the right equity partners in this still very challenging market to deliver this much needed affordable alternative to BTR.”

Rio Architects will serve as the primary designer with WT Partnership as project manager. The planning application was submitted in April 2022 and approved the year after.

Highlights:

• Olympian Homes has received Gateway 2 approval for a 46-storey coliving tower in Canary Wharf, which will become the tallest coliving scheme in the UK upon completion.
• The development, operating under the Vivus Living brand, will comprise 833 studio apartments averaging 24 square metres across 46 storeys.
• Amenities planned include commercial-sized gyms, spa and wellness space, lounge, dining and working areas, private meeting and function rooms, 24-hour concierge and room service.
• Demolition is scheduled to begin on 1 April, with Savills appointed to secure equity partners for the Marsh Wall scheme and the brand’s wider rollout.
• Olympian chairman Mark Slatter stated the scheme represents an affordable alternative to build-to-rent housing in a challenging market.