The project will deliver 490 co-living homes, 4,000 sqm of workspace with 10% affordable workspace, and a community hub adjacent to Old Street station.

Developer HUB has secured planning approval from the London Borough of Hackney for its redevelopment of Finsgate House into a living-led mixed-use scheme, designed by architects AHMM.

Adjacent to Old Street Station on Cranwood Street, the development sits in one of London’s fastest-growing business districts. The scheme has been designed to support both residential and commercial growth, creating new homes and workspace within an exceptionally well-connected urban location.

The approved plans will transform the site, currently occupied by three outdated office buildings, into a vibrant mixed-use destination comprising 490 co-living homes with shared amenity, approximately 4,000 sqm of Grade A workspace, a flexible community hub, and significantly enhanced public realm.

The consented development comprises two buildings of 35 and 5 storeys. The taller western building will provide the residential accommodation, while the eastern building will accommodate workspace, including 10% affordable workspace for small and medium-sized businesses. The community hub, incorporated within the plans following extensive consultation with local stakeholders, will occupy part of the ground floor and provide flexible space for local groups and activities.

The project will also enable a significant transformation of the site’s surrounding public realm. Wider pavements, new planting and trees, improved lighting, seating and active frontages will create a greener, more welcoming and accessible environment around the site, improving connections with the surrounding neighbourhood.

Sustainability has been a key driver of the project from the outset, with the design focused on reducing carbon emissions through material reuse, the delivery of energy-efficient buildings and biodiversity enhancements.

The proposals were shaped through an extensive community engagement programme that reached more than 1,200 local stakeholders through exhibitions, workshops and street pop-up events. Feedback from residents, businesses and community organisations directly informed the development of the plans.

Damien Sharkey, Managing Director at HUB, said: “This decision is a major step forward for our ultra-urban co-living strategy, and reinforces our conviction that this type of housing can be transformational for central London.

“Finsgate House presents a significant opportunity to transform an underperforming and prominent site into something of value to new and existing communities. It will deliver 490 co-living homes and tangible public benefits, in an area of the capital where the current housing offer is limited and demand is extremely high.

“Throughout the design process we have worked closely with local stakeholders to ensure the scheme responds to the priorities of the neighbourhood, so we are proud to have our plans approved by Hackney Council. We look forward to working with our partners to bring this exciting new chapter for Finsgate House forward.”

The project forms part of HUB’s growing ultra-urban living portfolio, focused on delivering high-quality rental homes in well-connected locations, while creating positive outcomes for local communities.

Developer HUB has secured planning approval from the London Borough of Hackney for its redevelopment of Finsgate House into a living-led mixed-use scheme, designed by architects AHMM.

Adjacent to Old Street Station on Cranwood Street, the development sits in one of London’s fastest-growing business districts. The scheme has been designed to support both residential and commercial growth, creating new homes and workspace within an exceptionally well-connected urban location.

The approved plans will transform the site, currently occupied by three outdated office buildings, into a vibrant mixed-use destination comprising 490 co-living homes with shared amenity, approximately 4,000 sqm of Grade A workspace, a flexible community hub, and significantly enhanced public realm.

The consented development comprises two buildings of 35 and 5 storeys. The taller western building will provide the residential accommodation, while the eastern building will accommodate workspace, including 10% affordable workspace for small and medium-sized businesses. The community hub, incorporated within the plans following extensive consultation with local stakeholders, will occupy part of the ground floor and provide flexible space for local groups and activities.

The project will also enable a significant transformation of the site’s surrounding public realm. Wider pavements, new planting and trees, improved lighting, seating and active frontages will create a greener, more welcoming and accessible environment around the site, improving connections with the surrounding neighbourhood.

Sustainability has been a key driver of the project from the outset, with the design focused on reducing carbon emissions through material reuse, the delivery of energy-efficient buildings and biodiversity enhancements.

The proposals were shaped through an extensive community engagement programme that reached more than 1,200 local stakeholders through exhibitions, workshops and street pop-up events. Feedback from residents, businesses and community organisations directly informed the development of the plans.

Damien Sharkey, Managing Director at HUB, said:

“This decision is a major step forward for our ultra-urban co-living strategy, and reinforces our conviction that this type of housing can be transformational for central London.

“Finsgate House presents a significant opportunity to transform an underperforming and prominent site into something of value to new and existing communities. It will deliver 490 co-living homes and tangible public benefits, in an area of the capital where the current housing offer is limited and demand is extremely high.

“Throughout the design process we have worked closely with local stakeholders to ensure the scheme responds to the priorities of the neighbourhood, so we are proud to have our plans approved by Hackney Council. We look forward to working with our partners to bring this exciting new chapter for Finsgate House forward.”

The project forms part of HUB’s growing ultra-urban living portfolio, focused on delivering high-quality rental homes in well-connected locations, while creating positive outcomes for local communities.