3XN's student Housing Plan and Museum Approved in London

In an effort to alleviate the London student accommodation shortage and as part of Aldgate's 27,629 m2 scheme, developers Dominus and architects 3XN have been planning to build a new London student accommodation and museum to replace the 1984-built office building Friary Court. After starting talks with the City of London Corporation, the plan was given the green light on the 21st of February at a City of London Corporation planning meeting. 

This project follows a series of successful projects by Dominus, including their 61–65 Holborn Viaduct project. Since starting in 2011, Dominus has pledged to improve people's lives by providing more sustainable and affordable housing. 

The new building at 65 Crutched Friars will provide 770 student beds, significantly impacting students heading to London and is a massive win for PBSAs in the city. The building's rooms will also offer 35% of the rooms at affordable prices.

The new 65 Crutched Friars building will be a 21-story building with three floors dedicated to the Migration Museum, which currently lies in Lewisham, in the southeast of London. In accordance with the building's provider, the museum will be exempt from charges for the upcoming 60 years; not only that, but the founder of Dominus, Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, will pledge £500,000 to help with the museum's relocation. Dominus's founder, a migrant from Uganda as a child, sees the museum's importance in changing the negative notions and perceptions associated with migrants. The museum's relocation plan, however, did face some opposition, while others accepted it but refused the student housing element; fortunately for students, however, both projects got their approval.

The new 65 Crutched Friars building will be in a strategic location, close to a variety of sites, and in the middle of Fenchurch Street station, Minories, and Fenchurch Street. It is part of London's plan for its financial district to include cultural sites. The new 65 Crutched Friars building will be near Aldgate Square, Fenchurch Street's train station, Tower Hill, and the Leadenhall Market.