Following an onsite team from specialist engineering company McGee progressing at pace at the 65 Holborn Viaduct purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme, the company has now reached a significant milestone.
The enabling works and basement box programme have been completed, and the complex package of works has been successfully delivered by a project team led by McGee. The site has now been formally handed over to McAleer & Rushe, who will lead the main construction phase through to completion in August 2027.
McGee has been involved in the scheme since 2020, and developed the solution to unlock this challenging site. Since starting physical works in December 2022, McGee’s activities have included enabling works, basement box construction and, in addition to the initial scope, the construction of the main core to Level 12 and superstructure works to level one, which provides the platform for structural steel works to commence.
The presence of the Network Rail Thameslink tunnel and the disused platform at Snow Hill beneath the site, presented an additional engineering challenge. McGee designed a solution for creating a new independent structure that could support the future building, completing five hand-dug caisson piles through the tunnel, in addition to installing concrete encased columns , designed by Robert Bird Group, onto the piles.
“McGee has been involved in this most complex of projects since around 2020 and worked with the Dominus team to develop an engineering solution which unlocked a very challenging site, and to manage stakeholders. Our experienced team developed our concept design into a buildable solution, managed local community relationships whilst delivering the basement and structural works, Network Rail Thameslink tunnel works, and RC core construction back to the client safely, and in accordance with the plan in advance of the next stage of the development.
“Well done to everyone involved in making this happen, and we wish Dominus the very best of luck for the follow-on works.”
Seb Fossey, Group Managing Director, McGee
Designed by Stiff + Trevillion Architects, the scheme will deliver 669 bedrooms in a mix of studios, two-dios and cluster apartments – with 35% delivered as affordable, with 64 rooms designed to be wheelchair accessible.
On-site amenities will include wellness zones, communal dining areas, study hubs, music practice rooms, games area and a gym, offering a vibrant and inclusive living environment. The ground floor will provide cultural and community space for artists and creatives, delivered in partnership with the Creative Land Trust.
A landscaped publicly accessible roof terrace will provide panoramic views across the capital. The development will include long and short-stay cycle parking spaces, with 5% designed to accommodate adapted cycles.
Residents will also benefit from being in a prime central London location with outstanding access to public transport.
“We’d like to thank everyone for their significant efforts to date in achieving this milestone. The site presented a number of technical build challenges, which we have worked closely with McGee and the wider project team to successfully overcome.
“The handover to McAleer and Rushe marks a significant step forward to completing this project in August 2027. 65 Holborn Viaduct reflects our commitment to deliver market-leading schemes at a time when London faces an increasing shortage of student homes.”
Olivia Burton, Senior Development Manager, Dominus
To support Dominus’ growing pipeline of projects, the company is adding to its development team to boost its capacity to deliver ambitious schemes in both the hotel and student living sectors.
In addition to Holborn Viaduct, Dominus is on-site delivering more than 1,600 more student bedrooms at two major sites: 65 Crutched Friars and 65 Fleet Street.
In June, Dominus celebrated the completion of Scape Hammersmith, its first PBSA scheme, delivered in partnership with Scape. The 713-bedroom development is the first in London to deliver 50% affordable student accommodation under the London Plan 2021 and was backed by the UK’s largest PBSA forward funding deal at £173.25m.
