Old Kent Road Scheme Switches from Flats to Student Accommodation

Regal London has amended plans for its Old Kent Road residential scheme in London and will now create student rooms and affordable homes. The developer has also proposed additional commercial and community spaces within the plan. The build location will be opposite the proposed new Bakerloo Line station and includes over 900 student bedrooms and 220 affordable homes.

The scheme will bring 600 sqm of commercial and community areas to the development across four buildings. Regal has purchased the site, and public consultation has taken place. They will submit plans to Southwark later this year.

Regal London Co-Founder, Simon De Friend, said: “This is a fantastic prospect in the middle of the Old

Kent Road Opportunity Area. As an agile developer, we have recognised that high-quality student accommodation has the potential to enable the delivery of a significant quantum of affordable housing, thereby unlocking this challenging site.”

Old Kent Road will be Regal London's second purpose-built student accommodation following The

High Society project in Brent. Permission has already been granted for the energy-efficient 349-room build on High Road, Wembley. Regal says the revised scheme is better aligned with local market needs.

IMAGE: Regal London - The scheme includes over 900 student bedrooms and 220 affordable homes

Vita Announces Plans for 580-Bed Manchester Student

First Street masterplan and complementing our neighbouring Vita Student offering.

“House of Social is the student house re-imagined, bringing students together at the most important time in their lives and allowing them to make lifelong friends whilst excelling in their studies.”

Deansgate Exterior Renaker

Student accommodation specialists Vita has announced plans for a 580-bed student building at the First Street development site in Manchester. The 14-storey tower will be constructed on a former car park lot on plot 10b of the First Street masterplan. Architect Tim Groom has designed the brick-clad structure to harmonise with surrounding buildings. The 'House of Social' project is a reimagining of student housing redesigned as multiple clusters within the block.

Each house offers an open-plan kitchen and lounge area for communal dining and entertainment. Large ensuite bedrooms will also be an attractive feature. The homes are designed with second and third-year students in mind. A food hall at ground level will offer seating for approximately 400 covers.

Max Bielby, Chief Operating Officer for Vita Group, spoke about the project: “We are delighted to bring forward these exciting new plans for our new student brand House of Social, adding to the

Plans for a 13-storey 300,00 sqft net zero office scheme, designed by Jon Matthews Architects, are progressing on the adjacent plot following the submission of planning earlier this year. Vita hopes to be able to start work on House of Social later this year.

IMAGE: Vita - The project is a reimagining of student housing redesigned as multiple clusters within the block