McLaren Property has formally appointed McLaren Construction Midlands and North as main contractor for its landmark Upper Brook Street student accommodation development in Manchester.
The scheme represents the second major collaboration between the two McLaren divisions in the city, following their partnership on the St Gabriels Court project.
Early works on the site are already well advanced, with both tower cranes now fully installed. Ground clearance and preparatory works have been completed, along with the installation of temporary site facilities. Piling works have also concluded, with 219 piles installed and concrete bases formed to support the two residential buildings and the cranes. The project team is targeting the assembly of slip-form rigs before the Christmas period, allowing the concrete frame works to begin early in the new year.
The £160 million Upper Brook Street development will be forward funded by L&G and will deliver purpose-built student accommodation comprising approximately 272,854 square feet across two buildings of nine and 23 storeys. The scheme will provide 737 student bedspaces, including 288 studios and 449 cluster bedrooms, alongside a range of shared amenities such as a gym, fitness studio, and collaborative study and social spaces.
Located just south-east of Manchester city centre near the University of Manchester, the development sits within the Oxford Road Corridor, an area widely recognised as a growing hub for students, education and research.
The scheme will also incorporate a community facility, café and new accessible public realm, including the planting of new trees. Extensive hard and soft landscaping is planned to create enhanced public spaces for residents and the surrounding community. Sustainability is a key focus, with the development targeting BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and Platinum WiredScore ratings.
Modern methods of construction will play a central role in delivery, including a full concrete frame and fully unitised prefabricated concrete panels with integrated brickwork and windows. Off-site manufactured bathroom pods by Walker Modular will also be used to improve efficiency and quality.
Completion of the project is scheduled in time for the 2028 academic year. In addition to its technical and environmental objectives, the development places strong emphasis on social value, with the project team working alongside local community groups and the Salvation Army to deliver initiatives that exceed contractual commitments.
Luke Arnold, Regional Director at McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to deliver this important scheme in the heart of Manchester. Upper Brook Street represents not only a significant investment in the city’s student living offer but also an opportunity to showcase high-quality construction, modern methods of delivery, and meaningful social value.”
David Atherton, Divisional Managing Director at McLaren Property, said: “This is the second project we are delivering alongside McLaren Construction in Manchester. We are excited to bring forward another best-in-class student accommodation development, adding to our strong pipeline across the UK. As we move into the delivery phrase, all those involved in the project are fully focused on completing an exemplary building, one that the McLaren teams and the city can be very proud of.”
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