Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University have secured planning consent for the £390m redevelopment of the university’s Cambridge Halls student accommodation.
The approved plans will involve the demolition of the old 770-bed building, which will be replaced by 1,101 beds in time for the start of the 2029/30 academic year. Phase two, which see the delivery of 1,201 further beds by 2030/31.
The scheme will offer a variety of room types, including dorm style, cluster flats and studios, and the on-site amenity provision will include a rooftop exercise area, sports pitches and an allotment.
Unite Students will act as developer, asset manager and operator of Cambridge Halls.
Simon Jones, group higher education director, at Unite Students, said: “This is an exciting step forward for our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University to deliver next-generation student living in the heart of the city. We’re coming together to create a new development that will sit proudly within the All Saints campus, help tackle Manchester’s shortage of student housing and enable the university to focus on student experience and academic excellence.”
Andrew Fallon, chief property officer at Manchester Metropolitan University, added: “The planning approval to redevelop Cambridge Halls marks an important milestone in our commitment to providing a truly modern campus here in the city centre for our students, colleagues and the community. As well as providing much needed additional purpose-built student accommodation in Manchester, right on the doorstep of our university, the development will benefit the surrounding community through new health, wellbeing, and retail offerings.”
