Sellar, the investment and development company that specialises in mixed-use projects, has secured a resolution to grant planning permission for the development of 444 purpose-built student homes and flexible office and retail space, following a unanimous decision from Southwark Council.
The company, which delivered the renowned Shard Quarter, has designed the scheme to offer the highest well-being standards and will be served with easy connections to multiple universities. King’s Place will offer more than double the average internal and external amenity per room found in purpose-built student accommodation across London.
The development will also deliver 1,850 sq m of flexible work and retail space, including a corner café on Borough High Street, and a new pocket park that will be created on Harper Road. King’s Place will also provide eight affordable homes for local key workers.
In line with Sellar’s broader ambition towards sustainable development, King’s Place will be an all-electric building that can be carbon-free through green power procurement. Sellar is also aiming for BREEAM Excellent as a minimum target for the development, which is currently on track to be BREEAM Outstanding.
The one-acre site occupies a prime location fronting Newington Causeway and Borough High Street, marking the point of transition between Elephant & Castle, Bankside, Borough and the London Bridge opportunity areas, therefore offering excellent accessibility to King’s College London, London South Bank University and other educational institutions.
Morris+Company is the architect behind the scheme, while DP9 acted as planning consultant and Savills advised on funding for the development.
James Sellar, chief executive of Sellar, said: “King’s Place is redefining the design of student accommodation in London in a location with unrivalled connections to world-class universities. To deliver exemplar student accommodation, the design focuses on health, well-being and comfort for students. Rooms are generous and well lit, with abundant internal and external amenity spaces throughout. This, combined with its ease of access to central London, make the site the optimum location for student living. The project also furthers our long-term track record of working with and making a positive contribution to Southwark through regenerative developments, adding King’s Place to our successful projects at Shard Quarter and Bermondsey Yards.”
