University breathes new life back into Elephant & Castle

London South Bank University has won planning permission for two landmark buildings on its Elephant & Castle campus. Plans include a £29m, seven-storey building designed by architect Grimshaw. Keyworth II on Keyworth Street will feature extensive glazing and a large atrium spanned by a bridge.

The second project involves transforming St George’s Chapel, a listed building. The two facades of the chapel will be preserved, while the remainder, which has been damaged by fire, will be demolished. The building at the corner of Rotary Street and Borough Road will serve a range of purposes for both the university and local community.

The £11m scheme was designed by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands. The proposals have been developed with the Princess Street Group Practice, a local practice that plans to move to the new premises in 2008. The project has won listed building consent.

The projects kick off a 15-year campus development strategy which will contribute to the regeneration of Elephant & Castle. Peter Holliday, director of strategic development at London South Bank, said: "The buildings have been developed and designed in close consultation with students, staff and the community. The buildings will kick-start our 15-year estate strategy and contribute to the wider regeneration of Elephant & Castle to bring life and vibrancy back into areas that have remained derelict and untapped for far too long."

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