HUB Elephant and Castle development, Southwark co-living homes, AHMM London buildings news, social rent

HUB Elephant and Castle development

18 March 2026

Location: Elephant & Castle, London, south east England, UK

Design: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) architects

Green light for HUB as landmark mixed-use scheme in Elephant and Castle approved

• The site is HUB’s largest co-living consent to date, and the final project to be developed in the 10-acre regeneration masterplan at Elephant Park

• Plans include a new NHS health centre in addition to 695 co-living homes and homes for social rent

image courtesy of architects practice

Elephant & Castle student residence – Southwark Housing

18th of March 2026 – Developer HUB has secured approval from London Borough of Southwark for a landmark 1.2-acre mixed-use scheme in Elephant and Castle, London. Designed by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects (AHMM), the project represents a transformative opportunity for the area, delivering 695 co-living homes, onsite policy compliant affordable homes for social rent, a major NHS health centre, and active ground floor amenity across three buildings.

This consent marks a significant milestone for the neighbourhood as the final piece of the puzzle to come forward of the wider Elephant Park regeneration, which has been ongoing for over 10 years across 10 acres. The project expands on HUB’s growing ultra-urban co-living portfolio, while making a substantial contribution to Elephant Park’s next chapter.

The 695-home co-living scheme, to be known as ‘Chords’, is Elephant and Castle’s first purpose-built co-living development. The project builds on the neighbourhood’s established residential offering, which has a strong focus on build-to-rent. The plans also include onsite policy compliant affordable homes, all of which will be for social rent, with 20 three-bed homes.

An NHS health centre, to be located across the ground and first floors of one of the three buildings, responds to the long-standing need for improved healthcare infrastructure in the area to support its fast-growing population.

All residents of the scheme will benefit from landscaped outdoor amenity spaces, including a shared podium courtyard accessible from all buildings with a dedicated children’s play area, as well as two rooftop terraces offering elevated views and communal gathering areas. This is in addition to the established public Elephant Park.

The scheme’s landscape and public realm, which achieves 128% biodiversity net gain, prioritises permeability, and introduces active frontages to encourage community use, has been designed by landscape architects Gillespies. Both Gillespies and architects AHMM have played key roles in the wider Elephant Park regeneration.

Over the course of a year, the plans were shaped through extensive community engagement. This included 12 public events, on street outreach with the long-established local Latin American community, and direct contact with more than 5,700 households. Through 800 individual conversations, the project team gathered 1,800 unique insights, all of which informed the final application.

Damien Sharkey, Managing Director at HUB, said: “As our largest co-living-led approval to date, we’re excited to be moving forward with this important site – not only for the Elephant Park neighbourhood, but for the wider co living sector. Securing this consent, for just shy of 700 homes, is meaningful: it sends a clear signal of confidence in innovative, community focused rental living. Through Southwark Council’s decision, we can bring forward a significant mixed-use scheme with high quality co living homes and much needed affordable homes for social rent, as well as essential community infrastructure including a new NHS health centre – all within an exceptionally well connected, vibrant neighbourhood. We look forward to working with our partners to progress delivery and bring forward a high-quality final chapter for Elephant Park that builds on the neighbourhood’s proven success.”

The development forms part of the wider 10-acre Elephant Park masterplan, which includes more than 50 retail and leisure units, community spaces and a well established weekend food and craft market. It is also within easy reach of UAL London College of Communication and London South Bank University. Elephant and Castle station is a five minute walk, offering convenient connections via Thameslink services and the Bakerloo and Northern lines.

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects

HUB Elephant and Castle property development images / information received 180326

Location: Elephant and Castle, South London, England, UK.

Another London building design by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects on e-architect:

Mason and Fifth Hotel, Westbourne Park, 11 Woodfield Road
Architects: AHMM with TiggColl

photo © Rob Parrish

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Elephant & Castle Building Designs

Elephant & Castle Architecture Designs

Elephant & Castle student residence
Design: Maccreanor Lavington architects

image courtesy of architecture studio
Elephant & Castle student residence