LSE Holds Topping Out Ceremony at Eslanda Robeson House
LSE’s newest student accommodation, Eslanda Robeson House, moved a step closer to opening with a topping out ceremony on Monday 22 April.
The project at Glengall Road, which began in January 2022, will offer 15 storeys of mixed-use living space, external courtyards, a gym, a kitchen which be booked for shared dining, cinema room, laundry room, amenity space and staff offices. Eslanda Robeson House is being built by Equans in partnership with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and SPARK Living and is funded by PIC Capital.
The hall is named after LSE Alumna Eslanda Cordozo Goode Robeson, an esteemed anti-racist, anti-colonialist, anti-capitalist, feminist, and eminent black woman of her time. A group of PhD students from LSE’s Department of Anthropology will be compiling information about Eslanda Robeson which will be displayed in the hall for the benefit of future generations.
The ceremony featured the placement of the building’s final panel, signed by Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor of LSE, David Webb, Professor of Finance and Former Pro-Director of Planning and Resources and CFO of LSE, Laurentiu Prodan, Director of DIF Capital Partners, and Jake Fellows, Managing Director (Central Region) at Equans.
Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor at LSE, said: “What’s exciting about this project is the many ways in which it is unique—from how it was funded and built, both done in innovative and maximally efficient ways, to how it will be used. Residential life is a critical part of the student experience, and Eslanda Robeson House will offer our students matchless opportunities both to interact with each other and to participate in and become part of the local community.”
Jake Fellows, Managing Director (Central Region), for Equans UK & Ireland, said: “Equans is proud to be a part of the Eslanda Robeson House development alongside partners, LSE and SPARK Living. This topping out milestone marks a special moment in our shared commitment to enhancing student living experiences and redefining educational spaces. Eslanda Robeson House will not only provide modern, sustainable accommodation for LSE graduate students, but will also serve as a catalyst for shaping futures and enriching lives. At Equans, with our extensive expertise in supporting universities to achieve net-zero carbon targets, we take great pride in our role in this project, reshaping the educational landscape and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.”
Helen Dennis, Councillor for Chaucer Ward, said: “We’re delighted that the LSE have chosen to situate new student halls in Southwark just off the Old Kent Road. Students will be able to benefit from this wonderful location next to Burgess Park and a short bus or cycle ride to the university and it is wonderful to be celebrating this milestone with everyone involved.”
James Relf, LSESU General Secretary, said: “Today (Monday 21 April), we install the final panel of LSE Eslanda Robeson House, a new hall of residence which honours the legacy of Eslanda Robeson as a pioneering activist of her era. With 676 student rooms, this new accommodation reflects LSE’s dedication to providing housing security and affordability – reaffirming the school’s commitment to the next generation of students who, like Eslanda, will go on to shape the world.”
The project, funded by PIC Capital will expand LSE’s residential offering to its graduate students.
Florence Carasse, Head of Infrastructure, PIC Capital, said: “We were delighted to be selected by the LSE to participate in the funding of this building which backs our future pension payments and enhances retirement security for our policyholders. The deal highlights PIC’s track record of completing repeat transactions with our valued investment counterparties. We are now supporting LSE for both its student accommodation requirements and for wider development of its education facilities and data science offering.”