McAleer & Rushe To Develop PBSA Project In London

Contractor McAleer & Rushe has been appointed to develop a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) project in the heart of the City of London.

The company was selected by Dominus, a progressive developer specialising in urban renewal.

Located at the junction of Holborn Viaduct and Snow Hill, 65 Holborn Viaduct will deliver 669 bedrooms across 14 storeys and is ideally located for students attending the London School of Economics, King's College and Queen Mary University.

This is the 11th project that Dominus and McAleer & Rushe have undertaken together and the second PBSA scheme, with works currently on site at the 782-bedroom PBSA development at 65 Crutched Friars, also in the City of London.

Designed by Stiff + Trevillion Architects and Jonathan Cook Landscape Architects, 65 Holborn Viaduct will provide a mix of bedroom types including studios, two-dios and cluster apartments, with 35% allocated as affordable accommodation and 64 rooms proposed as wheelchair accessible.

Students will benefit from a central location, excellent public transport connections and 494 long-term and 32 short stay cycle parking spaces, of which 5% will be designed for adapted cycles. The designs offer generous amenity space for students to meet, study, dine and exercise with an on-site cafe/bar, cinema room, music rooms, games area, gym and external roof terraces.


There will also be public realm improvements for the local community, with a new route connecting Holborn Viaduct and Snow Hill and a gateway to the new Museum of London at Smithfield Market, while there will be free public access to a roof terrace offering views across the east of the city towards St Paul’s Cathedral.

Once complete, the new building will also provide a mix of cultural and affordable workspaces free of charge for creative businesses in the local area, in partnership with the Creative Land Trust (CLT).

Targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, the scheme has been designed to be sustainable in both construction and operation, utilising urban greening and water saving measures with the aim of reducing operational carbon emissions. Off-site manufacturing will also be utilised, including various prefabricated elements, including a Unitised Façade and bathroom pods.

Mark Diamond, Senior Director, McAleer & Rushe said: "We are delighted to be entrusted as Construction Partner to deliver this landmark PBSA scheme by our long-standing client, Dominus. Designed to seamlessly blend into the community and provide a high-quality student living experience, the project is an excellent example of our shared commitment to leaving a lasting positive impact which has been showcased throughout our decade-long partnership with Dominus.

"With a proven track record in delivering PBSA schemes across the UK, our experienced team are well placed to deliver Holborn Viaduct for the 2027 academic year. We look forward to working closely with all partners to bring this scheme to life efficiently and sustainably."