Contractor Graham has secured the £286 million contract to redevelop the Cambridge Halls student campus for Manchester Metropolitan University, marking a major step forward in the transformation of the city’s student accommodation offer.
The scheme, which will deliver more than 2,300 new student bedrooms, is being brought forward through a joint venture between the University and Unite Students. It represents one of the most significant higher education residential developments currently planned in Manchester.
The project will involve the demolition of the existing 1990s-era accommodation to make way for two new multi-storey buildings rising to 30 storeys. Delivered across two phases, the development will provide a mix of cluster apartments and self-contained studios, alongside a range of internal and external amenity spaces designed to enhance student wellbeing and foster a strong sense of community.
In addition to residential provision, the scheme will incorporate ground-floor commercial units and a new community health centre fronting Cambridge Street. This element is intended to strengthen connections between the campus and the surrounding neighbourhood, creating a more integrated and accessible urban environment.
Designed by Cartwright Pickard, the development is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, reflecting a strong emphasis on sustainability and long-term environmental performance.
The buildings will feature a highly thermally efficient fabric, supported by a comprehensive suite of low-carbon and energy-efficient technologies. Air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and low-energy heat recovery ventilation systems will be integrated with advanced intelligent building management systems. Together, these measures are expected to significantly reduce operational energy demand and carbon emissions over the lifecycle of the development.
Stephen Van den Hoek, Regional Director at Graham, confirmed that construction is scheduled to commence later this year. Phase one is due for completion in 2029, with phase two following in 2030, reshaping this key gateway site and setting a new benchmark for sustainable student accommodation in Manchester.
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