Fulfilling a growing need

Set on the site of a single-story factory building with high walls and narrow broken pavement, Alumno’s redevelopment of 78-79 Alscot Road, Bermondsey saw the creation of high-quality, fully serviced and sustainable accommodation for around 150 students.

The design is making a positive contribution to the locality and surroundings. The building will make the best use of urban land with good access to amenities and public transport, breathing new life, investment and uses into the site.

The dynamic, forward-looking and distinctive building will be something Southwark can be hugely proud of.

The growth in full-time student numbers in recent years in London has not been matched by an increase in provision of accommodation by universities. Currently in London just 27% of students who are in need of accommodation (ie not living at home) are able to be housed in purpose-built student accommodation compared to the UK average of 35%. Overall full-time student numbers in London have risen steadily since the Millennium and are close to an all-time peak.

“Southwark is home to world-renowned universities and research shows that there is a significant gap between accommodation availability and demand in the central sub-region of London (which Southwark sits in) when the student numbers of Universities in this area are taken into account,” said David Campbell. “There is evidence that the number of all-student households in the local area is high, especially in Grange ward.”

Alumno already has extensive experience working with the London Borough of Southwark having provided three different student schemes at: Hampton Street, Peckham Road and the former Southwark Townhall including Theatre Peckham.

Alumno welcomed students into the scheme for the Autumn academic term 2022.