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UK: The London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) has secured planning consent for the redevelopment of Bankside House, which will provide 1,945 student beds.
The scheme will be delivered in partnership with construction company Bouygues UK and infrastructure investor Equitix.
The riverside project, located at 24 Sumner Street, SE1, by the Tate Modern, is scheduled to break ground in 2027 and to open before September 2032.
The approved design features three stepped towers of 24, 26 and 28 storeys, linked by two low-rise pavilions, all arranged around landscaped courtyards. At ground level, new public routes and active frontages will connect Sumner Street with the wider Bankside cultural quarter.
The scheme represents one of the largest purpose-built student accommodation developments in central London, replacing the existing mid-century office conversion.
Around 60 per cent of the LSE’s 12,000 full-time students currently rely on London’s private rental market for accommodation. The university is keen to be able to offer more accommodation of its own and the Bankside redevelopment will make a significant contribution to easing housing pressure for its students.
Bouygues UK is leading both the development and construction of the project, working with design partners Carmody Groarke and Sheppard Robson.
The scheme targets BREEAM Excellent, with an aspiration for Outstanding. The building will be all-electric, with high-performance insulation and extensive rooftop solar panels, achieving operational energy use of between 45 and 55 kWh/m²/year.
Bouygues UK will target more than 99 per cent diversion of construction waste from landfill and ensure at least 20 per cent of materials by value are recycled or reused.
LSE director of estates Julian Robinson said: “This is the culmination of a 10-year engagement with the borough on the redevelopment of our Bankside residences. Working with the Southwark team we have crafted an affordable, sustainable and high-quality design which will make a significant contribution to the borough. The scheme’s civic offer is incredibly strong with genuine public access and community uses integrated within the building and we can’t wait to see LSE’s world class estate extended south of the river.”
Bouygues UK managing director Oliver Campbell added: “Securing planning permission for Bankside House is a landmark moment for Bouygues UK and for the student accommodation sector in London. In partnership with LSE and Equitix, we’ve developed a scheme that puts affordability, sustainability and community at its core. We’re proud of the role we have had in bringing this project from concept to consent, and we look forward to delivering a building that will stand as a genuine piece of civic architecture for generations to come.”
Highlights:
- The London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) has secured planning consent for the redevelopment of Bankside House, which will provide 1,945 student beds
- The scheme will be delivered in partnership with construction company Bouygues UK and infrastructure investor Equitix
- The riverside project, located at 24 Sumner Street, SE1, by the Tate Modern, is scheduled to break ground in 2027 and to open before September 2032
- The approved design features three stepped towers of 24, 26 and 28 storeys, linked by two low-rise pavilions
