The SoCo and Blue Coast Capital have secured planning consent for a purpose-built shared living and affordable housing development in the London Borough of Southwark.
Designed by Studio MULTI, the scheme will be built on the site of the City Business Centre in St Olav’s Court, near Canada Water.
It will comprise a 16-storey tower offering 216 shared living units and a separate 10-storey building providing 24 homes, 100% affordable, including a mix of social rent and intermediate tenures in accordance with Southwark policy.
The scheme will also provide more than 1,500 sq m of floorspace in the shared living building dedicated for affordable workspace.
Matthew Weiner, co-founder of The SoCo, said: “We are delighted that Southwark Council shared our excitement to bring forward a scheme that has huge benefits for the local community, as well as being at the forefront of design for living. This building will be a great example of how a thoughtful design team can cultivate an inclusive and equitable living ecosystem through well considered spaces.
“Our proposals will help free up much-needed family housing and contribute to London’s acute affordable housing need, as well as benefit the local community through our commitment to outperform policy on affordable housing. The SoCo and Blue Coast Capital invested significantly in a comprehensive programme of community engagement, undertaken at all stages of the development.”
Barry Duckett, chair of the Canada Estate Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, added: “I am so excited by these proposals and what they mean for Rotherhithe that I went before the planning committee to speak in favour of the scheme. The community engagement undertaken by The SoCo and their team has been exceptional. This will be a really positive for Rotherhithe.”
The project team also included planning consultants Rolfe Judd and The Terrapin Group, which led the community and stakeholder engagement. Work is expected to begin on site in 2025.
