HB Reavis has unveiled plans to transform an outdated office building at 10 Leake Street, near Waterloo Station, into purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
The scheme marks the company’s first step into the UK’s student housing market, having previously focused on delivering wellbeing-focused office developments in London.
HB Reavis has appointed PLP Architecture to lead on designing the project and aims to deliver a BREEAM Excellent-rated building providing a mix of studios and shared accommodation with communal areas on each floor.
The scheme will integrate renewable energy systems, low-carbon technologies and high-quality cycle storage to support sustainable living and 10% of the units will be accessible.
Steven Skinner, CEO of HB Reavis Development, said: “This project marks an exciting next step for HB Reavis development projects as we step into the student living sector. Following the success of our Worship Square office development which completed last year and is already nearing total occupancy, we’re bringing our people-centric approach to a new audience. 10 Leake Street is a fantastic opportunity to create high-quality, sustainable student homes in one of London’s most vibrant and well-connected neighbourhoods.”
Andrei Martin, partner at PLP Architecture, added: “We are delighted to be working with HB Reavis on their first purpose-built student accommodation project in the UK. Set on Leake Street – where London’s infrastructure doubles as an open-air gallery – the design stacks living, learning, and socialising into a vibrant ecosystem that’s as dynamic and expressive as the neighbourhood it inhabits.”
Public consultation events are scheduled for May and June ahead of a planning application being submitted later this year.
