08.10.2024 New University of Arts London building celebrates reaching “Topping Out” milestone
The new London College of Communication building, part of University of Arts London (UAL), has reached its highest point in its construction this week, 60 years after the original building in Elephant and Castle opened its doors to students.
The new building, which will be home to over 5,000 students and more than 500 staff, as well as providing community space for events and student showcases, is being delivered by Get Living, one of the UK’s leading build-to-rent operators, in collaboration with Delancey, Multiplex and in partnership with UAL.
This construction milestone marks a pivotal moment in the development of the over one million sq ft neighbourhood called The Elephant, formerly named the Elephant and Castle Town Centre, which forms part of the £4 billion public and private investment currently reshaping the borough.
The cutting-edge new building will support the next generation of future-facing creatives and is scheduled to open in September 2027.
Having been based in Elephant and Castle since 1962, London College of Communication has a proven track record of bringing educational, cultural, and economic benefits to the local area. As a continuation of this, once complete, the new building’s first two floors will be open to the public, making it easier than ever to explore everything the College has to offer.
The London College of Communication building will stand at the heart of a newly revitalised town centre as The Elephant’s anchor tenant, sitting alongside new shops, restaurants, leisure uses, new homes for rent, of which 337 will be affordable, as well as a new London Underground station entrance.
With Get Living’s first phase, Elephant Central, thriving, Castle Square providing a home to local retailers and the second phase progressing at pace, Get Living remains fully committed to the long-term success of Elephant and Castle.
As part of that commitment, Get Living is bringing forward enhanced proposals to complete the final phase of the Elephant and Castle Town Centre redevelopment, located on the site of the current London College of Communication building.
Known as the West Site, the proposals will provide 507 new residential homes, including 49 for affordable rent and 116 for social rent. It will also contain significant new Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) to take pressure off the local housing market and support local campuses such as the new London College of Communication building.
Commenting on the milestone, Get Living CEO Rick de Blaby said:
“The new UAL building for London College of Communication is a core part of the wider transformation of Elephant and Castle, and will bring a bustling student population to the heart of our site. Universities are increasingly taking prime spots within redevelopment projects in recognition of their role in creating vibrant and creative spaces from day to night. 60 years on from the original building opening its doors, we are excited to be delivering a new cutting-edge campus for the next generation of creatives to enjoy.
“As long-term stakeholders in Elephant and Castle, we are committed to delivering our bold new vision for the Town Centre scheme, which will transform the area into a major destination in the heart of London. The development is a great example of a successful public private partnership – working alongside partners including UAL, Southwark Council and TfL has been extremely rewarding and we look forward to continuing to do so as The Elephant continues to take shape.”
Professor Karen Stanton, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, UAL said:
“The new building is a symbol of UAL’s ambition, not only for London College of Communication but for the area and the communities who live here. It is also a symbol of our optimism for London, higher education and the creative industries.
We could not have reached this point without the hard work and passion of teams across the University. Today’s celebration marks the culmination of years of their effort. As we reach the topping out, colleagues at London College of Communication are already planning how the new building will inspire the next generation of creative talent and strengthen our connections with the local community. I would also like to thank our partners, who have all shared our vision for the project.”
Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Naima Ali, said:
“It’s wonderful to see the continued dedication to building a vibrant and inclusive community in Elephant and Castle. Having attended the Bottoming Out ceremony earlier this year, I’m delighted to be here today to celebrate this important milestone of reaching the highest point of the new UAL: London College of Communication building. It’s important to remember that this redevelopment is not just about creating a new Town Centre, it’s about strengthening our local community. That is why I’m proud to be involved in initiatives like the Inspiring Elephant Community Fund, which plays a crucial role in meeting local needs and improving the quality of life for our residents.”
Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said:
“It’s fantastic to celebrate the topping out of the new UAL London College of Communication campus at the Elephant and Castle. This is a major milestone in the creation of a state-of-the-art building for the university and for this new campus to ensure London College of Communication remains a world leader in creative communications education right at the heart of The Elephant.
“London College of Communication has a long history of offering creative education opportunities to students from Southwark, across London, and well beyond. The partnership between UAL and The Elephant will ensure that the university continues to enrich the area, with a brand-new, cutting-edge campus offering world-class opportunities. Once complete, The Elephant will provide much-needed improvements to Elephant and Castle’s transport infrastructure, cultural and retail offerings, and housing needs and every step towards completion is welcome for those who have waited so long for the improvements.”
To mark the milestone, The Elephant and UAL hosted a topping out ceremony at The Elephant, and were joined by a number of senior local stakeholders spanning local government, the construction team and creative industries.
