McLaren appointed to deliver £55m Walworth Corners scheme

By Danny BallPublished On: September 29th, 2026Categories: News, Top Stories

McLaren Construction has been appointed as main contractor on a £55m contract to deliver a 134,000 sq ft purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme at 182–202 Walworth Road in Elephant & Castle, London.

The Walworth Corners development, being delivered by Fabrix and PATRIZIA, will provide 283 student beds, 20 affordable homes for social rent, retail space and community facilities on a 0.34-hectare brownfield site.

Enabling works are already underway, with construction completion targeted for spring 2028.

283 student beds and 20 affordable homes

The scheme received unanimous planning consent in November 2024 and will replace the existing poor-quality retail frontage with a mixed-use development.

Almost the entire ground floor will be public-facing, including 5,100 sq ft of retail space, a 2,600 sq ft community kitchen and a 6,240 sq ft publicly accessible courtyard garden.

The community kitchen is being developed with local charity Pembroke House, while a new pedestrian route through the 60-metre-long site will provide access to the courtyard.

The garden has been designed by Harris Bugg Studio.

Louis Duffield, Partner at Fabrix, said: “McLaren’s appointment is an important milestone for Walworth Corners and for the growth of our living portfolio.

“We have an exceptional team in place and are excited to be moving into construction on a development that will deliver much needed student accommodation and affordable homes alongside genuinely useful spaces for the wider community.

“With institutional equity managed by PATRIZIA alongside Fabrix, together with £69.5m of development financing from Aviva Investors, Walworth Corners demonstrates our ability to structure, fund and deliver institutional quality living projects in London.

“We have a strong pipeline and want to do more with capital partners and landowners who share our ambition to create high quality, enduring places.”

Existing concrete frame to be retained

The development has been designed by Howells through RIBA Stage 3, with AFK appointed as delivery architect.

Part of the existing concrete frame fronting Walworth Road will be retained and extended as part of the project.

The approach is expected to reduce structural embodied carbon emissions by an estimated 21% compared with a new-build alternative.

The all-electric development is targeting BREEAM Excellent and is designed to deliver 144% biodiversity net gain.

Green and blue roofs will also be incorporated to support biodiversity and climate resilience.

Tony Whyte, Divisional Director at McLaren Construction, said: “This project is an exemplar of sustainable, mixed-use development, combining the careful retention of part of the existing structure with high-quality new construction to create long-term social, economic and environmental value.

“By making efficient use of a centrally-located brownfield site, the development will deliver much-needed new homes, high-quality student accommodation and enhanced community facilities, while bringing increased footfall and vitality to an important high street.

“We recognise that the local community and surrounding assets are of great importance to Fabrix, and McLaren is equally committed to ensuring these relationships remain at the forefront of the project.

“We will continue to work closely and collaboratively with stakeholders throughout the construction phase, maintaining open communication and minimising disruption wherever possible. Our focus will be on delivering a high-quality development that not only meets its objectives but also leaves a lasting positive legacy for the area.”

£69.5m development finance secured

The project is the first development being delivered through the London living joint venture established by Fabrix and PATRIZIA in 2025.

Fabrix secured £69.5m in development financing from Aviva Investors earlier this year.

Marleen Bekkers, Fund Manager at PATRIZIA, said: “Moving Walworth Corners into construction shows how institutional capital can translate into new homes in markets like London, where the need for housing remains significant.

“It is part of a wider strategy through which PATRIZIA is supporting the delivery of much-needed housing in markets across Europe.”

Construction of Walworth Corners is expected to complete in spring 2028.