Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University have contracted to form a JV to develop 2,300 beds at the University’s Cambridge Halls site in Manchester city centre for delivery in 2029 and 2030.
Cambridge Halls, which was constructed in the 1990s, provides 770 beds which no longer meet the needs of students. Manchester Metropolitan University has committed to close the existing accommodation on the site, with work due to commence on-site later this year.
Manchester is the UK’s second-largest university city with over 100,000 full-time students studying at four universities. There is a shortage of purpose-built student accommodation in Manchester with 3.6 full-time students per bed, driving demand for new accommodation (national average: 3.2). The JV development, which sits at the heart of the City’s university quarter, will increase Unite’s operational platform in the city to almost 8,000 beds at completion, helping to deliver operational efficiencies.
Andrew Fallon, Chief Property Officer, Manchester Metropolitan University, commented:
“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Unite Students for the redevelopment of Cambridge Halls. This joint venture will provide much needed additional purpose-built student accommodation in Manchester, right on the doorstep of our University. The project will not only enhance the quality of housing for students, but also benefit the surrounding community through new health, wellbeing, and retail offerings.”
Joe Lister, Unite Students Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“Partnering with Manchester Metropolitan University to redevelop Cambridge Halls and deliver much needed, high-quality and affordable accommodation for 2,300 students is a hugely exciting step for Unite Students. Our joint-venture partnership will provide further support to Manchester Metropolitan University in meeting their accommodation needs at a time of real housing shortage, so they can focus on providing a world-class experience for their students.
“Unite Students is uniquely positioned to help address the shortage of student homes. Our second university partnership underlines the growing attractiveness of our offer to university partners as they seek to unlock the potential of their campuses to deliver new accommodation and access funding. This has the added benefit of freeing up privately rented houses in the community for families.”
