The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has submitted plans to redevelop its Bankside House site into a major new student residence, delivering 1,944 beds in the heart of central London.

As part of its strategy, the School aims to provide students with access to 6,000 bed spaces and ensure that every new first-year student receives an accommodation offer. At present, LSE manages a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate housing across both catered and self-catered halls, with 3,888 spaces available, though only 2,502 are directly owned or operated by the School. The planned Bankside redevelopment will deliver all rooms at below-market rents, with 15% designated as Affordable Student Accommodation in line with the London Plan (set at no more than 55% of the maximum maintenance loan). Offering a variety of room types and rent levels on 38-week term-time contracts, the scheme will not only enhance affordability and choice but also more than triple the number of spaces on site, easing demand on the broader rental market.

The project replaces the existing mid-century office building, later converted to student housing, with three slender towers of 24, 26, and 28 storeys connected by two low-rise pavilions set around landscaped courtyards and a well-integrated public realm. The architectural design emphasises vertical proportions and elegant crowns to shape the skyline, using carefully considered materials to create depth and shadow. At street level, the pavilions introduce light, activity, and visibility to student life—marking a significant improvement over the current building, where most shared facilities are confined to the basement. A whole-life-carbon approach has guided the structural and façade strategies, combining durable construction with passive systems to optimise daylight, natural ventilation, and overheating control. The scheme is targeting BREEAM Excellent, with aspirations for Outstanding in the student housing, alongside alignment with WELL standards for wellbeing and Passivhaus principles for energy performance.

Bankside Residences are designed to be a good neighbour, featuring an LSE-curated Community Hub with year-round programmes such as legal clinics, skills workshops, and volunteering, alongside Community Classrooms that provide space for Southwark education partners to teach within the building. The scheme delivers new planting, seating, and improved east–west access, creating a car-free, pedestrian-focused residence. It includes secure, convenient cycle parking designed around LSE student demand, developed in consultation with Southwark and TfL.