Completed in 2013, the £28 million scheme delivers 346 high-quality student rooms supported by generous social and study spaces, alongside over 3,500 m² of commercial and educational accommodation. The development is anchored by a 19-storey zinc-clad tower, complemented by the careful refurbishment of the Grade II listed St George’s Brewery. HKR were appointed to review and optimise the scheme after consent, unlocking additional value by increasing unit numbers, diversifying layouts, and enhancing buildability without the need for a new planning application. The result is a development that balances density with amenity, heritage with modernity, and commercial efficiency with user experience. Located near Aldgate East, Brick Lane, and Shoreditch, Commercial Road offers students a central, connected, and inspiring place to live, study, and socialise.

Design Optimisation & Delivery

HKR’s early design validation unlocked efficiencies in footprint, circulation, and planning. A single-core strategy replaced the previously consented dual-core design, increasing net internal area and supporting a wider range of accommodation types. Basement areas were rationalised, with functions relocated to ground and first floors to create active frontages and eliminate undercroft conditions. These adjustments enabled more efficient construction sequencing while improving amenity provision. In the listed Assam Street warehouse, fire strategy refinements allowed the omission of redundant stairs, adding valuable rooms at every level. Through Section 73, all improvements were secured without revisiting the planning process, keeping delivery on track.

Architecture, Heritage & Amenity

The zinc-clad tower is a contemporary counterpart to the restored brewery, its patinated finish chosen for durability and low maintenance. Warm yellow stock brick wings complement this cool palette, grounding the tower within its urban context. The listed building was treated with a light-touch approach: steel-framed double-glazed windows, stitched brickwork, and slate roof repairs revealed its character without erasing its patina of use. Student accommodation ranges from generous studios to efficient twins, each supported by social lounges, a ground-floor café, and a sky lounge with panoramic views across London.

Commercial Road demonstrates HKR’s ability to reconcile efficiency and heritage, delivering a distinctive landmark that sets a benchmark for student living in the capital.