Approval has been granted for the LSE Bankside project, paving the way for a 2027 construction start as the team prepares a Gateway 2 submission for one of London’s largest student accommodation schemes.
Southwark Council has backed plans to redevelop Bankside House at 24 Sumner Street, with Bouygues UK working alongside the London School of Economics and investor Equitix.
The scheme will replace the existing building with three interconnected towers rising 24, 26 and 28 storeys, delivering 1,945 student rooms arranged around landscaped courtyards. The ground level will be opened up to include new pedestrian routes, retail space and community facilities.
Bouygues has led the project from initial concept through to planning approval and is now progressing detailed design work alongside Building Safety Regulator approvals.
Design is being led by Carmody Groarke and Sheppard Robson, with Montagu Evans advising on planning, heritage, viability and socioeconomics.
The development forms a key part of LSE’s strategy to expand its student accommodation provision to 6,000 beds by 2030, helping reduce reliance on the private rental market.
Sustainability is central to the project, which will be delivered as an all-electric scheme targeting BREEAM Excellent, with ambitions for Outstanding certification. The design also aims to achieve Passivhaus-level energy performance alongside WELL-focused standards to enhance occupant wellbeing.
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