The Rex, Kingston: An exemplar retrofit case study

Find out how we reimagined a tired 1960s office block for modern living.

Just across from Kingston Railway Station is a building that’s been part of Amro’s story since 2010, when we acquired an unloved 1960s office building and converted it to Greencoat House, student accommodation with retail and commercial space at street level.

This was our first step into the student housing market, bringing to life an important gateway project that would otherwise have remained underutilised for years.

Fast forward to 2020, and fully focused on conversion, retrofit and regeneration as part of our Net Zero pathway, we began planning how a large-scale retrofit could see the building reborn for the third time as an exemplar, sustainable co-living community.

Sustainability first

At first, we considered knocking the existing building down and starting again, but we quickly decided that retaining and extending the existing substructure and part-superstructure would be the most sustainable approach.

The Rex – which is now almost complete - exceeds all new London Plan sustainability requirements and we’re proud that it’s about to become the UK’s first co-living project to achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, Fitwel 3* and WiredScore ‘Platinum’.

Operational energy performance is 60% better than current Building Regulations, and following our strict technology-led approach to reducing emissions, The Rex even meets 2030 LETI targets for whole-life embodied carbon.

The building’s performance is constantly monitored through a sophisticated Building Management System (BMS) which tracks energy consumption and multiple health and wellbeing markers, making automatic recommendations for improvements.

Adding value to the local community

Focusing on ‘function over form’, we set about designing spaces that would meet the needs of residents today - practical, social and sustainable.

By 2020, Kingston’s housing needs had shifted dramatically, with a real shortage of quality, affordable homes for young professionals, creatives, key workers and recent graduates. Our co-living model is designed exactly for them, with all-inclusive studios, tons of communal space, and a real focus on creating a cohesive community.

We’re hopeful that The Rex will help encourage graduates from Kingston University to stay in the town and put down roots, bringing further economic benefits to the town.

What’s next for The Rex?

The building topped out in October 2024 and work is now progressing rapidly on the interior spaces ahead of the launch this autumn, when the first residents will move in. Once complete, it will provide 212 studio apartments alongside extensive communal spaces including co-working areas, a residents’ lounge, private dining room, fully equipped gym, yoga studio, cinema room and roof terraces with panoramic views across London. A dedicated team will work closely with residents, providing a full programme of activities and events.

We’re delighted to be bringing this prominent gateway site back to life, smarter, greener and more community-focused than ever before.

Click here to find out more.