Construction Starts On Local Co-Living Community
Industrial units demolished to make way for The Collective
The view from Chatfield Road. Picture: Assael
August 31, 2021
Despite initial concerns about the future of co-living in a post-Covid era, the old industrial buildings on the corner of Chatfield and Mendip roads have now been demolished to make way for The Collective’s 239 shared living spaces and 31 room hotel.
When London-based The Collective’s latest scheme was approved by Wandsworth council, after being acquired for development in 2019, it was the start of the Pandemic and councillors weighed up the demand for shared living at the Chatfield Road development alongside concerns about social distancing in shared kitchens and living areas. Latchmere ward Councillor Tony Belton said at the time: “To make a start on an investment that will be there for 40 years, when we don’t know how it’s going to work out… is the real risk.”
However Wandsworth’s planning committee eventually approved the application in Spring last year, taking into account the site’s proximity to the new Royal Academy of Dance building at nearby Coda London and The Royal College of Art HQ in Battersea Bridge Road along with the prospective ensuing demands for shared living.
In final planning approval the council stipulated that, as per the original application, 35 percent (84 of the 239 shared living spaces) will be at a discounted rate of between 10-30% of the standard rent price.
23 of the shared living rooms and five of the hotels rooms will also be wheelchair adaptable.
Artist's impression of one of the co-living spaces. Picture: Assael
The Collective appointed Assael Architecture to come up with interior designs and outside landscaping plans for the new buildings, including a ground level courtyard, three separate roof terraces and a first floor dining podium.
The ground floor is designed as “an open mixing forum with multiple sliding doors to provide areas for co-working, community use and events”.
There will also be a gym and wellness suite, a screening room and a Masterchef-style communal kitchen.
The Collective, which already offers serviced living accommodation in Notting Hill, Camden, King’s Cross, Acton, Sloane Square and Bayswater, says it is all about building spaces that “foster human connection and enable people to lead more fulfilling lives”. It aims to achieve this by offering co-living spaces made up of individual fully furnished private rooms and apartments with access to various communal spaces that are available for short stays of just a few nights, or for several months or even a year. The aim is also to spark meetings of minds in co-working areas, while larger spaces are available for residents’ private events or their corporate hire.
The project is due for completion in the Summer of 2022.
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