Groundworks have begun for a new 39-storey tower block for student accommodation near to London Bridge Station.
The 138-metre (453ft) tower, which will accommodate 905 students, is being developed by Greystar Teal Estate Partners, which focuses on rental housing and Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board.
Blackstone Mortgage Trust has provided construction financing for the project.
The building is designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates with Greystar’s in-house design team.
Demolition contractor Cantillion has begun work onsite to demolish the 10-storey Capital House on 42 Weston Street to prepare the site for construction.
Main construction work is due to begin in March 2022. Greystart and PSP Investments have appointed Mace as the main contractor for the construction of the building.
Mace Tech director Shaun Tate said: “We will maximise bespoke off-site solutions to drive faster, safer and greener delivery to a consistent factory quality”.
Opening is scheduled for the 202 academic year, when the building will be operated under the Chapter London student residence brand.
John Bushell, Kohn Pederson Fox Associates design principal said: “Since the initial planning decision in May 2019, the design has progressed in collaboration with Mace, maintaining the original design intent. We have rethought the building’s systems for energy efficiency and are embracing modern methods of construction to improve operation and embodied carbon, reduce construction times and minimise disruption to neighbours. This very proactive collective effort has enabled the project to move forward to the delivery phase”.