Bloomsbury

Creating our London flagship

Originally designed by William Curtis Green R.A., an English architect and water colourist, as a bespoke property for The Cambridge University Press, the building at 200 Euston Road was previously used by the Wellcome Trust as a library and storage facility. Once all the materials had been moved into the new library space across the road at 183 Euston Road, the Trust could better utilise this asset by transforming it into accommodation and absorbing the site into the successful iQ portfolio. Key objectives of the development were to retain the stone turrets and front bay of the original building and to deliver high quality accommodation.

What we did

The buildings within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area are generally four to five storeys in height. A complex site, therefore, our challenge involved the demolition of part of the existing building behind a retained front bay and construction of a seven-storey accommodation block, designed for 171 rooms. Transforming this building from its previous light industrial use coupled with numerous planning requirements meant delivery of such a scheme was no mean feat.

Results

Once complete, the building was awarded a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. The focus on sustainability and efficiency enhances its attraction as an investment and generates sustainable environments that enhance the wellbeing of the people who live and work in them.

iQ Bloomsbury is now our flagship accommodation site and was one of the first within our portfolio to receive our rebranded signage, which began to roll out in December 2016.