DSDHA gets green light for drum-shaped student houses next to Roundhouse

With the support of developer Regal London, the 100 Chalk Farm Road project in North London is being redeveloped. The project will deliver 265 student rooms, 24 affordable homes and almost 900m² of commercial space on the ground floor.

The proposed drum-shaped blocks, ranging from six to twelve storeys, are designed as a ‘tribute to the historical context of the area’.

The Roundhouse, built in 1846 and a listed building from 1946, is a former turntable shed that now serves as an events venue. In 2006 the building was renovated by John McAslan + Partners.

The 0.3ha site is currently home to three empty 1970s office buildings. These buildings, which are connected but not owned or operated by the Roundhouse, are reportedly set to be demolished. Regal London purchased the site in 2022.

The proposed scheme is set back from Chalk Farm Road, ‘creating more space for pedestrians and better managing crowds at the Roundhouse’.

According to the team, the project is one of the first purpose-built student housing developments in the UK to receive WELL Platinum accreditation.

Steve Harrington, planning director at Camden developer Regal London, said: ‘We have worked hard to strike the right chord with this special location next to such an iconic concert venue and are proud to be putting forward proposals that reflect Camden’s vibrant history.’

The project is one of many significant ongoing redevelopment projects in the area.

Just a stone’s throw from the site on Chalk Farm Road, work is currently underway on the extensive Camden Goods Yard development, designed by Allies and Morrison and featuring buildings designed by Piercy & Company and Níall McLaughlin Architects.

The 600-home development replaces a Morrisons supermarket and a petrol station