City of London approves 174 co-living home retrofit scheme

Plans to transform a 1950s office building into a Barbican-inspired residential scheme has been approved by The City of London.

Architectural practice Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) submitted a proposal to deliver 174 co-living homes at 45 Beech Street in February this year.

The City of London Corporation’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee approved the development which will also include a new public realm, a ground-floor commercial space and on-site resident amenities.

Also known as Murray House is currently in use as an office building, the proposals will see the building partially demolished before then extended to the private rental co-living units.

The site is currently in use as an office building, but surrounded by residential buildings, Bridgewater House (on Bridgewater Street) and adjacent to both Bryer Court and the Barbican Estate.

An additional sum for off-site affordable housing has also been agreed in excess of £8.5 million.  

The 45 Beech Street project also aims to be a sustainable development and respond to climate change resilience by implementing natural ventilation to respond to overheating risks, saving water resources and scope for urban greening and biodiversity.

The total embodied carbon saving of retrofitting the existing building is 34 per cent.

The scheme also targets BREEAM Excellent, EPC A, Fitwel 3* and net zero operational carbon.

This follows approval for three separate planning applications to upgrade offices across the Square Mile given by The City of London Corporation.

The retrofits included will receive an uplift in commercial and amenity space and help the City meet its net zero goals.

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Shravan Joshi, said: “Co-living developments are becoming an important part of the mix for city living, particularly in providing more accommodation for young people, as we continue to transform the Square Mile into a thriving seven day and evening destination, for everyone.

“Also, with the built environment sector accounting for around 40% of total carbon emissions, retrofitting is also crucial for meeting our net zero goals.  

“By working with stakeholders to deliver pragmatic policies that will help transition to net zero effectively, we aim to be the most attractive and sustainable global city for generations to come.”

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