Construction on scheme designed by Cartwright Pickard expected to complete in time for 2029/30 academic year
The first phase of Cartwright Pickard’s 2,300-home student accommodation scheme has been approved by the Building Safety Regulator a year after receiving planning approval from Manchester City Council.
Work on Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University’s redevelopment of Cambridge Halls can now proceed. Demolition of the university’s former 770-bed halls of residence has already been completed and construction of structural groundworks is underway.
The development is being delivered in two phases with the first 1,101-bed phase, which has received gateway 2 approval, expected to open for the start of the 2029/30 academic year, and phase two (1,201 beds) opening the following year.
The development will consist of multiple buildings, including towers of 24 and 30 storeys. It will provide a mix of room types including cluster flats – where residents have private bedrooms but share common living spaces – and studios.
The scheme is being developed by a joint venture in which the university holds a 30% stake.
Tom Brewerton, group development director at Unite Students, said: “We began the demolition of the former Cambridge Halls accommodation just seven months after agreeing the joint venture framework and are pleased to be able to move to the next phase of development.”
Andrew Fallon, chief property officer at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “It is exciting to reach another milestone in the continuing development of our city-centre campus.
“Working alongside Unite Students, Cambridge Halls will deliver next-generation student living at the heart of our university with enhanced shared public areas that will benefit our wider community.
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