The N16 Stratford scheme is being developed in partnership with its student business HG Living and M&G Real Estate.

Constructed over two blocks reaching 10 and 18 storeys, the project will also include over 1,500 sq m of amenity space for students, including roof terraces and courtyards.

Work on the project is expected to start this year, subject to Building Safety Regulator gateway 2 approval.

HG Construction will self-deliver key elements of the build process, securing programme and quality benefits.

Adam Quinn, CEO of HG Construction, said: “As we continue to navigate the ever-changing construction market, we are learning to adapt as an industry.

“Working in partnership as funder, developer and contractor has enabled us to overcome early challenges to successfully secure this scheme.

“We are well underway with preparing the BSR submission and we look forward to making a meaningful start on construction towards the end of year in preparation for receiving students in the 2028/2029 academic year, and to working collaboratively with M&G Real Estate as the scheme progresses.”

The controversial scheme, which will see the demolition of a popular pop-up food market, scraped through Southwark’s planning committee in the face of local opposition.

Designed by architect Maccreanor Lavington, two of the four blocks will be landmarks in the area, rising to 38 and 44 storeys respectively.

The affordable housing content consisists of 230 homes in the form of social rent and shared ownership tenures, which is 35% by habitable rooms.

The bulk of the Borough Triangle site bounded by Newington Causeway, Borough Road and a railway line

Demolition and construction phases are expected to take nine years, starting in 2026 and finishing in 2034.

The full construction cost of the project is estimated at just over £600m.

The professional team used by Berkeley includes M&E engineer L&P Group, structural engineer Walsh and facades consultant Total Facade Solutions.

Councillor Helen Dennis, cabinet member for new homes and sustainable development, said: “We urgently need more affordable homes for local people and despite the many complexities around this site, I am pleased we have secured a policy compliant affordable housing offer – at 35% affordable including 25% social rent homes.

“That will deliver 153 homes for Southwark families on the housing waiting list which are desperately needed.

“The development will also deliver a 5,000 sq ft new community centre earmarked for the Latin American community and a new home for Mercato Metropolitano.”

The developer aims to retain and re-use the existing 1960s building core and foundations at its Regent’s Place site, while adding new low carbon structures to create a new-look 31-storey building with bigger floor-plates.

Lendlease was involved in pre-construction planning work on the new tower, including designing the outline demolition and construction approach, although the appointment of a main contractor is yet to be announced.

David Lockyer, Head of Development at British Land, said: “We are delighted to receive planning consent for this incredible scheme – the first West End tower in a generation, and likely to be the last.

“The tower is ideally located at our Regent’s Place campus, where the Knowledge Quarter meets the West End, and where businesses can benefit from the great concentration of academic and research institutions between Harley Street and King’s Cross.”

The developer has worked closely with the council and Historic England to unlock the hugely complex 23-acre brownfield site, which will see a £72m investment in the temporary dismantling, restoration and re-erection of the listed gasholders.

Seven gasholder frames will contain buildings of up to 10-storeys, a further six new buildings will surround these, rising to 15-20 storeys and echoing the cylindrical designs.

The regeneration programme is forecast to create over 2,800 on-site jobs during construction, 30,000 sq ft of new commercial space and will make a £4.4m contribution towards local skills and employment programmes.

Structural steel engineering specialists Craddys and Shepley was closely involved in drawing up plans to reuse the cast iron gas holder structures, built between 1870 and 1882 for a cost of £300,000.

Both firms were previously involved in the project to dismantle, refurbish and re-erect the Gasholder No.8 guide frame at Kings Cross as well as the refurbishment and re-erection of the Kings Cross Triplets Gasholders.

St William submitted a hybrid planning application for the site, which also include the remains of two gas holders destroyed by the Luftwaffe in the second World War.

The second damaged gasholder will be turned into a community space covered with one of the gas holder cylinder iron frames.

Planned community area framed with iron frame from one of the old gasholder tanks

The firm bought the 100 Avenue Road site in Swiss Cottage after it stalled under a previous developer’s ownership following the completion of demolition and basement works.

The new plan retains the previous 24-floor tower of the original consented scheme but introduces key improvements.

It will now include a second staircase, feature a brick facade and prioritises sustainability with a gas-free, net-zero carbon approach.

The number of homes will increase from 184 to 237, with 35% designated as affordable housing, managed by a housing association. The remaining flats will now be homes for sale rather than for rent.

Ground floor space will feature improved commercial and community spaces, including new community facilities developed in consultation with The Winch.

Previous 100 Avenue Road project stalled at the foundations level due to soaring costs and a dispute with the council over affordable housing provision

Steve Harrington, Planning Director at Regal, said: “London is in the grip of a housing crisis, with too many developments stalled and too few homes being delivered.

“At 100 Avenue Road, we are unlocking a scheme that will bring forward 237 homes, including a significant proportion of affordable housing, in a prime, well-connected location.

“By taking decisive action to optimise the existing permission and meet modern standards, we are ensuring this site delivers on its full potential—providing high-quality homes and community benefits at a time when they are needed more than ever.”