Global Mutual and Patron Capital have secured planning consent to convert office space at the St Johns Centre in Leeds into purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) space.
The office space will be replaced with 287 student bedrooms, arranged as either studios or cluster bedrooms, with the central courtyard of the shopping centre, which is currently used for car parking, transformed into a private roof garden.
Brett Radley, from Global Mutual, said: “We’re delighted that our plans for new student accommodation at the St Johns Centre have been approved by officers at Leeds City Council. As demand for student accommodation grows, this development will deliver new accommodation in an increasingly popular part of the city, supporting the vibrancy of Leeds’s’ universities and reducing pressures on family housing.
“The creation of a new student community within the St Johns Centre will support retailers at the centre, increasing customer footfall and providing a new customer base from within the building. We would like to thank officers at Leeds City Council for working with us so positively on this application. We’ll soon commence construction at the St Johns Centre and look forward to welcoming the first cohort of students in September 2027.”
James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, added: “This development which has now seen its planning application approved will help meet growing demand for student accommodation in this part of the city centre, freeing up family housing elsewhere and supporting retail and other businesses in the city centre.
“It’s pleasing that the original building structure of the St Johns Centre will be retained by converting offices to accommodation, rather than have to demolish the building and rebuild from scratch.”
Global Mutual has appointed Allsop to secure a commercial operator to develop the scheme and accept students for the 2027/28 academic year.
