:
UK: Architects Howells has submitted proposals for a 600-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on the site of the former Blackfriars Crown Court in London.
The practice’s designs for student units and 71 social rent homes were submitted to Southwark Council earlier this month on behalf of Blackstone-backed PBSA provider iQ Student Accommodation.
The proposals would replace the existing modernist building with two blocks rising to six and eight storeys, one providing student rooms and associated services and another for the social rent homes.
The student block, to the west of the site, is arranged around four cores, with most floors containing eight cluster units of five and seven-person flats with kitchen, living and dining space overlooking the street. A number of self-contained studio units and wheelchair-accessible rooms will also feature.
Around 500 square metres of communal spaces includes a public café, flexible commercial rooms, a gym and shared student amenities on the ground floor of the student block, which has an entrance on Loman Street and an internal courtyard. A roof terrace will provide additional outdoors amenity space.
The social rent homes, located to the east of the site, will be 100 per cent dual-aspect.
The site had an existing planning consent for an office building with an ‘urban forest’ but the scheme was not delivered.
A timeline for approval and completion is not known.
Highlights:
• Architects Howells has submitted proposals for a 600-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on the site of the former Blackfriars Crown Court in London
• The plans were submitted to Southwark Council earlier this month on behalf of Blackstone-backed PBSA provider iQ Student Accommodation
• The proposals would replace the existing modernist building with two blocks rising to six and eight storeys, one providing student rooms and associated services and another for the social rent homes
