The masterplan proposals will provide:
A high-quality mixed-use development, providing workspace for up to 1,700 workers on the site of the vacant Selkirk House
44 new homes on site, including family sized affordable homes
A sustainable development designed for longevity, adaptability and sustainability targeting BREEAM outstanding
Substantial improvements to the public spaces on Museum Street and West Central Street, with new seating and plants, to improve safety and reduce anti-social behaviour
New shops, restaurants and cafes bringing more footfall to the area throughout the day in the evenings
A new pedestrian route through the site from High Holborn to West Central Street – called Vine Lane
£15m in business rates per year for the Council to spend on local services and infrastructure
Maximised retention of the existing Selkirk house basement and replacement of the building with a new development built for longevity, adaptability and sustainability
Employment and training opportunities for local people
The story so far
The previous owner of the site, Labtech, spent several years consulting on proposals for an office-led mixed-use development in line with Camden Council’s draft site allocations policy, which would provide new offices space, homes and public spaces, including a pedestrian route through the site linking West Central Street with High Holborn. The original planning application as submitted in 2021. In early 2022, LabTech revised the proposals in response to concerns about the height of the tower and its impact on views and a desire to see more homes delivered, particularly affordable homes.
BC Partners and Simten acquired the site from the previous owner in June 2022 and submitted revisions to the existing planning application in September that year. The revised plans incorporate the amendments proposed by LabTech in response to community and stakeholder feedback. The changes include a reduction in height and increase in the number of homes. We undertook a further round of engagement with local stakeholders and neighbours to share the amendments in advance of submitting the revised proposals.
This original application was submitted to Camden with the reference number 2021/2954/P.
Following the decision in March 2023 by Historic England that two of the buildings in the West Central Street block should be listed, Simten made further amendments to the scheme to respond to this listing. These changes have now been submitted as part of a new planning application to Camden Council. You can view and comment on the new application by visiting Camden’s planning portal here and searching the reference number 2023/2510/P.
BC Partners and Simten are committed to continued engagement with the local community around the proposals, including in regards to the new public spaces provided.
The Team
BC Partners is the owner of the site, having purchased it from Labtech in Summer 2022. Founded in 1986, BC Partners is a leading alternative investment manager focused on private equity, credit, and real estate, with deep networks across Europe and North America.
Simten is the development manager for the project with experience in delivering major ambitious projects across London. As Development Manager, Simten are bringing the proposals forward on behalf of BC Partners.
DSDHA is an architecture, urban design and spatial research studio, established by Deborah Saunt and David Hills. More than bricks and mortar, their projects are about people. They bring projects to life and design them to evolve after completion.
They have been awarded 19 RIBA Awards, have twice been nominated for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, and have also been shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize.