Dominus secures approval for 692-bed student scheme in Stratford
Newham Council’s planning committee has unanimously approved plans by Dominus, a leading real estate investor, developer, owner and operator in the student living and hotel sectors, for a new student housing scheme on Stratford High Street that will revitalise the currently closed-off, vacant brownfield site.
Designed by award-winning architects Metropolitan Workshop, the scheme will deliver 692 student beds (430 cluster rooms and 262 studios), with 35% offered at affordable rents capped by the Mayor of London. The 31-storey building will feature living spaces with en-suite bedrooms, large kitchen and dining spaces, landscaped roof terraces, as well as space for a gym, yoga studio, laundry and media room. The building will target BREEAM Excellent with a Biodiversity Net Gain of 154% across the scheme.
The improved public realm, designed by landscape architects, Spacehub, will significantly enhance the streetscape and pedestrian experience. It will deliver a new and improved community pub and over 1,200 sq m of street level upgrades including new outdoor spaces and greening.
Located at 302-312 Stratford High Street, the site is a five-minute walk from Stratford Station, offering excellent connectivity to central London. It is within walking distance of several universities with a combined total of more than 27,000 students, including University College London East, London College of Fashion, and the University of East London. Research by Cushman and Wakefield reveals that over 10,500 students are unable to access a bed space in Newham, putting pressure on the local housing market.
The scheme will create an estimated 74 jobs and £10.8 million in Gross Value Added per annum during construction, with an additional 20 jobs created during operation and anticipated annual student spend of £9.5 million.
In September, Dominus strengthened its student housing leadership team with two key appointments: John Blanshard as Director of PBSA and Sarah Reynolds as PBSA Operations Director. The pair will lead the development of Dominus’ operational student platform and brand ahead of the completion of its three City of London schemes – 65 Holborn Viaduct, 65 Crutched Friars and 65 Fleet Street which will deliver over 2,300 student beds, with 35% at affordable rents capped by the Mayor of London.
Across the UK, Dominus has 3,800 student beds and 1,700 hotel rooms under construction or in the pipeline, with plans to work with investment partners to scale this further.
