Real estate developer Dominvs Group has received planning approval for a 713-bed Hammersmith student accommodation scheme, on the site of a former magistrates court in Hammersmith
In close proximity to Imperial College London’s White City Campus, international architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSH+P) have designed the Hammersmith student accommodation.
Permission was first granted in December 2020 to deliver two new hotels on the site but this decision was overridden by Higher Education Institutions and the north of the site has been reserved for purpose-built student accommodation. Both the hotels and student accommodation will target BREEAM Excellent.
The plans for the Hammersmith student accommodation on 181 Talgarth Road were approved on Tuesday evening by Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s planning and transportation committee.
What does the Hammersmith student accommodation have to offer?
- 713 beds
- flexible amenity space
- study and seminar space
- a landscaped garden courtyard at ground level
- a mezzanine level for pop-ups and events
Dominvs is working with Imperial College London to provide much needed accomodation
Dominvs is working closely with Imperial College London to provide suitable student accommodation for a growing student population at Imperial. In the last five years, the number of students has increased by almost 20%.
It has been discussed that Imperial will take the majority of the rooms once completed to aid the university as both an education and employment provider.
The Hammersmith student accommodation site is close to not only Imperial’s White City campus but also several local Higher Education Institutions, including LAMDA, RCA White City and West London College.
Senior partner at Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Ivan Harbour, commented:
“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.”
The student accommodation scheme will offer rooms for affordable rent
In order to combat increasing rent prices in London, 359 of the 713 rooms will be affordable and capped by the Mayor of London. This will make living in London more accessible for more students.
Jay Ahluwalia, principal at Dominvs Group, said:
“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.
“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. 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”.
Ensuring that the local community are involved every step of the way
It has been the Dominvs Group mission to work with the local community and seek continual local input over planning and design. This continuous and transparent communication means that the local population are supportive of the revised scheme.
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.”
Supporting ‘inclusive economic growth, sustainable businesses and rapid innovation’
John Anderson, director of financial strategy at Imperial College London, added:
“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 for these to be allocated to Imperial students. We look forward to continuing to work together with Dominvs.”
