Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) have drawn up plans for a 2,330-bedroom purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on Cambridge Road, Manchester.
The plans, drawn up by Cartwright Pickard, is to knock down existing student rooms and deliver the new accommodation across various buildings, including two towers of 30 and 24 storeys.
The first phase is hoped to be completed in September 2029, and will comprise 1,126 bedrooms in a 24-storey tower alongside two 11 storey buildings and an eight storey block.
The second phase will add 1,204 bedrooms by the following year, in a 30 storey skyscraper, two 13 storey towers, and an eight storey block.
The scheme will also include a gym, yoga studio, two games areas and potential wellbeing and retail spaces on Cambridge Street.
“Through the proposed partnership, our goal is to ensure that as many students as possible have access to high-quality, modern accommodation on campus.
“Cambridge Halls has been identified as a potential redevelopment site that could create 2,330 student beds on the university campus. The existing accommodation is thirty years old and provides only 770 beds with shared bathrooms and requires significant modernisation to meet contemporary student needs.”
Statement, Unite Students
The project team includes planning consultant Turley, structural engineer Waterman Group and landscape architect Reform.
A public consultation will run until Wednesday 19 February. A live public webinar will be held on Thursday 6 February at 6pm and a public drop-in event at the Students’ Union, Higher Cambridge Street will be held on Wednesday 12 February between 3pm to 7pm.
