Leading development company MRP has launched Broadway Studios, a 432-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Glasgow city centre. Puma Property Finance has provided £58m development finance with construction being delivered by McAleer & Rushe Contracts. Scheduled for completion in August 2026, the building will be operated by Prestige Student Living, opening in time for the 2026/27 academic year. Broadway Studios will be the first student development in Glasgow to fully align with the city’s new PBSA spatial standards, setting a benchmark for quality and compliance in the city. Designed with sustainability and resilience at its core, the scheme targets BREEAM Excellent and an EPC rating of A, while exceeding Glasgow City Council’s energy efficiency requirements by 20% (Gold Level). The building also surpasses the city’s 20% renewable energy target, incorporating air-source heat pumps and high-performance building materials to deliver long-term operational efficiency. While fully compliant with Scottish building regulations, the project has been proactively aligned with the principles of the new English Building Safety Act, ensuring the development is future-proofed against evolving regulatory and investor requirements. In addition, connectivity and future-readiness are central to the design. Broadway Studios is targeting WiredScore Platinum, the global standard for digital infrastructure, recognising exceptional resilience, wireless performance, and future-proofed technology provision. Residents will benefit from a sophisticated, contemporary interior design and extensive shared amenities, including a rooftop sky lounge, fitness suite, cinema, gym, private dining, and games facilities – all within a secure and vibrant environment. This is MRP’s second debt funded PBSA asset, following the successful delivery, operation, and stabilised asset sale of The Place in Nottingham. The scheme also represents MRP’s second phase of development at Renfield Street, following the completion of the Maldron Hotel in 2021, which was forward-funded by Abrdn. Shane McBride, Development Director at MRP, commented: “Broadway Studios exemplifies MRP’s strategy of delivering high-quality, operationally resilient PBSA in undersupplied university cities. Glasgow’s student market continues to face a structural shortage of accommodation, and this development responds directly to that demand with a future-proofed asset underpinned by strong ESG credentials.  “Our decision to retain and operate the building to stabilisation reflects our confidence in both the long-term fundamentals of the PBSA sector and Glasgow’s position as a world-class education hub. We are delighted to be working with Puma Property Finance on this flagship scheme and look forward to building on this partnership as we continue to expand our PBSA platform.” Kevin Davidson, Managing Director at Puma Property Finance, commented: “Having historically funded successful developments with McAleer & Rushe as main contractor and built a wider relationship with the group, we at Puma Property Finance are delighted to be providing our first financing to MRP. Broadway Studios not only reinforces our commitment to backing schemes committed to ESG excellence but also sets the benchmark for modern PBSA developments. “We look forward to working with the excellent team at MRP to see the scheme reach its completion in time for the 26/27 academic year and further developing our important partnership to support the growth of their PBSA platform. We continue to have a strong appetite for lending in Scotland and supporting the PBSA market.” Shane McCullagh, Director at McAleer & Rushe, commented: “We’re delighted to be entrusted as Construction Partner to deliver this landmark PBSA scheme in Glasgow for MRP. Broadways Studios not only serves as an excellent addition to our growing portfolio of prominent student developments across the UK, but also strengthens our strong pipeline of ongoing large-scale projects across Scotland’s central belt. “With the strength of our experienced teams and trusted partners, we look forward to delivering safe, sustainable student homes that will make a lasting contribution to the city.” With its combination of premium design, robust ESG performance, and policy-compliant spatial standards, Broadway Studios is set to become a landmark student living destination in Glasgow and a benchmark for future PBSA development in the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

THE LATEST purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) from Cassidy Group Ltd has moved closer to completion with its official topping out ceremony. Funded by Zorin Finance, the 419-studio apartments Beckton House in Beeston, adjacent to the University of Nottingham, will be operated by Fresh and will open its doors for the September 2026/27 academic year. Once completed, the centrally located development will provide studio accommodation for students of Nottingham’s two universities – both of which are linked to the building by the city’s main tram line which conveniently stops at the main entrance. The five-storey block is currently under construction with contractor Winvic, with the early completion of the building’s structural frame which has been marked with a traditional topping out ceremony last week. Patric Cassidy, director at Cassidy Group Ltd said: “Topping out is a significant milestone for any project, and to have reached this stage ahead of programme is testament to the work of Winvic and our trusted team of consultants.” “The decision to go with 100% of studios was due to local market demand and the shortage of quality accommodation in this area. The design and specification of what will be an EPC ‘A’ rated energy efficient building speaks for itself and with excellent transport links, this represents a new chapter in student accommodation within the area.” Vinod Vijaya, lending director at Zorin Finance said: “The key driver for financing these developments is to understand who you are lending to, and with Cassidy Group we see a highly organised, fully motivated team that does in depth analysis before taking a scheme on. It’s incredibly helpful when you see a team that performs in that synchronised way – it shows us as a lender that a developer is clearly driven and believes in what they want to deliver.” Patric Cassidy said: “Having been in the development sector for more than 40 years, we’ve built a tried and tested approach to taking schemes forward and with a portfolio of 3,000 student beds and 1,000 apartments across England, we’ve got a build programme for the next two-to-three years that is really exciting and hope to work closely with Vinod and his team at Zorin again. “Having employed Knight Frank to source senior debt funding and selected Zorin from a large number of offers, we are very impressed with their experience in this sector and their speed and professional approach compared to other lenders.” Beckton House is one of several student accommodation schemes being worked on by Cassidy Group across England, and one of their first ventures into the developer/owner and operator world. Cassidy said: “We’re keen to find more investment partners to work with and would like to acquire more sites for both PBSA and build-to-rent schemes. We are also actively looking for large-scale single-family housing sites as we see a real opportunity in this growing sector. We’d like to work with landowners to use our 40-year pedigree to deliver further large-scale residential schemes which in turn, will help relieve some of the pressure of the ever-growing housing crisis.” For more information on Beckton House, visit becktonhouse.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals