Simten’s One Museum Street tower has been approved by Camden Council.
The 180,000 sq ft office-led mixed-use building, backed by investor BC Partners, will rise to 19 storeys above its neighbours to the north of the British Museum, transforming a site on the corner of Museum Street and High Holborn, WC1, currently occupied by an empty Travelodge and an NCP car park.
The DSDHA-designed masterplan will also take in derelict residential and commercial buildings on West Central Street and New Oxford Street.
The planning committee’s decision follows a recommendation by its officers to grant consent to the scheme, which will also deliver a high proportion of affordable homes.
The 44 homes proposed represent a doubling of the residential on site, and 77% of the additional homes by floorspace will be on-site affordable housing, including family-sized homes.
The design, while targeting BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum certification, is sympathetic to the Bloomsbury conservation area, restoring the historic facades and interiors of five listed buildings and returning three of them to their original form of townhouses above shops.
Eleanor Wright, development associate at Simten, said: “Camden’s officers and members recognised the quality of urban design and the many benefits the scheme will deliver in this central London location served by the Elizabeth Line. The committee decision is a significant milestone in realising our plans to bring new homes and jobs to this characterful part of the city, and we will continue to engage with stakeholders as the scheme moves towards delivery.”
David Hills, founding director at DSDHA, added: “Building upon Camden’s vision for the area, our approved design provides key improvements to public spaces and a sensitively designed workplace destination. The development will include retail and leisure facilities at street level, as well as new and refurbished homes and better and safer pedestrian routes, all within the context of carefully considered urban renewal.”
Construction is expected to start in 2024 with completion due in 2028.
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