LaSalle Investment Management and Trilogy Real Estate have won their planning appeal to secure planning consent for a 940,000 sq ft second phase of Republic, their first-of-its-kind innovation campus at London’s East India Dock. This consent provides the opportunity to bring the total accommodation at Republic to more than 1.28 million sq ft.
The planning application was taken to appeal after Tower Hamlets Council’s planning committee refused permission in October 2022, against the guidance of its own planning officers.
Tim Frost, Fund Manager, LaSalle Investment Management, said: “Securing this planning consent provides an exceptional opportunity to continue the transformation of Republic into a vibrant place for existing occupiers and the local community. The mix of education, living and a data centre will offer a dynamic space for the existing campus, whilst helping support the growth of local businesses and educational opportunities. We are delighted by the decision to support the delivery of this market-leading scheme in Tower Hamlets.”
Phase 2 of Republic is set to create a “full-service” innovation campus with 716 student rooms in a 36-storey building of 270,000 sq ft, which will serve the university students that have grown up around the seven higher education institutions who have located their London campuses at Republic.
Upon completion, Republic will provide more than 1.28 million sq ft of mixed-use space centred on a unique education-led campus that provides opportunities for learning, leisure and living alongside work.
Robert Wolstenholme, Founder and CEO of Trilogy Real Estate, said: “The work we’ve done with universities and other education providers to deliver space for training, education and skills alongside workspace has created an engine for the future economy of East London.
“The next phase of Republic builds upon the strengths of the development and our location. Bringing a community of students and residents onto our campus will reinforce Republic’s mission to be a place that serves the full spectrum of needs of colleges and universities and integrates with the local community. We’re also adding capacity at one of the UK’s most in-demand hubs for data centres, providing vital infrastructure that will support future jobs.”
The decision gives detailed planning consent for 150 private rental residences in a 30-storey building of 225,000 sq ft, and outline planning consent for a 376,000 sq ft data centre and a 64,000 sq ft studio workspace building containing up to an additional 7,000 sq ft of space for community use.
- Of these, 66% will be socially-rented homes, in line with Tower Hamlets’ policy. 30% of the flats will be one-bedroom, 40% two-bedroom, 25% three-bedroom and 5% (six units) will be four-bedroom homes.
7,000 sq ft of space for community use will be provided within the new studios building and a 376,000 sq ft data centre will add new capacity at one of the UK’s most strategically important sites for data centres.
