A major mixed-use development could reshape part of the Greenwich Peninsula after developer Tribe submitted plans for two high-rise towers that would deliver student accommodation, co-living homes and affordable housing close to the Silvertown Tunnel. Designed by CJCT, the proposed scheme would transform a vacant site on Millennium Way into a high-density residential development, contributing new homes and purpose-built student accommodation within one of London’s fastest-growing regeneration areas. The plans include a 27-storey tower providing 673 purpose-built student bedrooms alongside a 23-storey building comprising 380 co-living homes. An additional 80 affordable homes also form part of the wider development, helping to support Greenwich’s housing requirements while responding to increasing demand for flexible urban living. Located adjacent to the Silvertown Tunnel approach roads and opposite the former gasholder site, the development occupies a strategic location within the wider Greenwich Peninsula regeneration programme, where thousands of new homes, commercial buildings and public spaces are planned. Planning documents submitted with the application highlight a significant shortage of student accommodation across the area, identifying a deficit of 1,871 student bedspaces within the wider catchment and around 581 within Greenwich itself, even after taking account of schemes currently in the pipeline. The proposals have also received support from Ravensbourne University, which has stated that demand for student accommodation remains exceptionally strong, reinforcing the need for additional high-quality housing for students studying in southeast London. For the construction and property sectors, the development reflects the continued growth of London’s purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and co-living markets, with developers increasingly delivering mixed-tenure schemes that combine student housing, residential accommodation and affordable homes within a single masterplan. The Tribe proposals are the latest in a series of significant developments planned across the Greenwich Peninsula. Nearby projects include Scape’s proposed three-tower student accommodation scheme on the former gasholder site, Fairview’s revised plans for Boord Street and Knight Dragon’s wider masterplan, which includes around 1,000 student bedrooms alongside extensive residential, commercial and leisure development. Together, these projects demonstrate the growing importance of the Greenwich Peninsula as one of London’s leading regeneration locations, where investment in residential-led mixed-use developments continues to support housing delivery, educational growth and long-term economic regeneration. If approved, the latest scheme would add further momentum to the transformation of the Peninsula, creating a diverse mix of accommodation while strengthening the area’s role as a major destination for students, residents and investment within the capital. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

London’s ability to deliver 31,500 new purpose-built student bedrooms over the next decade will depend on boroughs applying the Draft London Plan’s new targets flexibly, according to planning and development consultancy Lichfields. The draft Plan introduces individual purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) targets for London boroughs for the first time, giving local authorities a clearer role in planning where new schemes should be delivered. The approach gives PBSA a clearer place within London’s housing strategy, recognising its role in supporting the capital’s universities and easing pressure on the private rented sector. For the targets to translate into the delivery of new accommodation, boroughs will need to treat them as a basis for delivery rather than a fixed limit, with enough flexibility to respond to changes in student demand, universities’ growth strategies and development viability. Jonathan Hoban, Associate Director in Lichfields’ London office, said: “The introduction of borough-level targets gives local authorities a much clearer basis on which to plan for student accommodation. “PBSA is an important part of London’s housing mix, supporting the capital’s universities while reducing the number of students competing for homes in the wider private rented market. “The key is ensuring that the targets support delivery without becoming an artificial limit. Demand will change over the lifetime of the Plan, so boroughs will need to provide sufficient flexibility to consider suitable schemes where there is clear evidence of demand.” The Draft London Plan requires boroughs to meet local student accommodation needs and create opportunities for new development. PBSA would also continue to contribute towards general housing delivery, with every 2.5 student bedrooms counted as one home. Local plans should, however, avoid relying on a limited number of sites allocated specifically for student housing. Allowing PBSA on a wider range of suitable residential sites would give councils and developers more scope to respond to changing demand. Hoban added: “Student accommodation requirements and development conditions can change more quickly than local plans. A broader approach to site allocation would allow proposals to be assessed against the evidence available at the time, rather than restricting delivery to a fixed list of locations.” The draft policy states that new schemes should generally be within around 30 minutes’ travel of a university campus and have good access to public transport, services and facilities. Boroughs could also introduce policies to manage concentrations of student housing where these affect mixed and inclusive communities. The Plan also proposes greater choice over how PBSA developments contribute towards affordable housing. Developers could provide affordable student rooms, combine a reduced proportion of affordable student accommodation with a payment towards conventional affordable housing, or deliver conventional affordable homes. Hoban said: “The wider choice of affordable housing options is a constructive step. Different sites and operators face different circumstances, and greater flexibility should make it easier to agree an approach that supports delivery and helps meet London’s affordable housing objectives. “The Draft Plan gives PBSA clearer strategic status. The detail will now be important in helping boroughs turn those targets into new accommodation.” The consultation on the Draft London Plan closes at 5pm on 15 October 2026. For more information, visit: https://lichfields.uk/blog/2026/july/27/pbsa-in-london-becoming-a-strategic-housing-target Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Prospective students can now get an early glimpse of life at The Propeller Quarter, with newly released images revealing the premium student accommodation at Brabazon.  With many school leavers currently waiting on A-Level results and the start of university clearing on 13th August, YTL Developments  has confirmed that The Propeller Quarter is ready to welcome hundreds of students from September.  The new images showcase the modern, affordable student homes and social spaces including bedrooms, shared living and dining spaces, gym and the main entrance. Two residential buildings built by YTL Construction UK, using a range of innovative off-site solutions, will open at the start of this academic year, providing 745 beds for students studying in Bristol and the South West.  A further two residential buildings are due to open in the following academic year, taking the total number of beds to more than 1,500. When fully complete, The Propeller Quarter from YTL Developments will be one of the largest purpose-built student accommodation options in the UK, taking pressure off Bristol’s private rental market, where large numbers of shared student houses can upset the balance of some neighbourhoods.  Rooms currently start from £180 per week, offering students a more affordable option in a city where accommodation costs continue to be a major consideration when choosing where to study.  The Propeller Quarter is minutes from UWE Frenchay and has transport links to all major Bristol Campuses – including the new University of Bristol Enterprise Campus – via the brand-new Bristol Brabazon train station, which is opening in Autumn this year.  Dedicated Metrobus services are already running through Brabazon.  Students can choose from fully furnished shared ensuite cluster flats, private studios and accessible rooms, with utilities and high-speed internet included.  Shared social amenities feature dedicated study areas, an onsite gym, outdoor wellbeing spaces, a cinema lounge, karaoke and gaming rooms, music and content creation studios.   Students will be part of the growing lifestyle at Brabazon as the most exciting new city district in the South West – from pop-up food destinations and padel courts to immersive golf experiences and an exciting food and drink quarter coming early next year. The nearby Spitfire Hangar community hub, home to Mokoko Bakery, hosts regular events and social activities, while Cribbs Causeway is just a short distance away.   Future residents will also be among the first to experience the wider transformation of Brabazon, including live music at the new Aviva Arena, a 20,000-capacity venue currently under construction.  Jon McDiarmid, Director of Sales and Marketing at YTL Developments, said:  “It’s fantastic to see The Propeller Quarter taking shape ahead of welcoming its first students this September. We know that finding good-quality accommodation that offers value for money is a key consideration for students and their families, and The Propeller Quarter has been designed to provide exactly that.  “As well as modern, affordable accommodation, students will be part of an exciting new neighbourhood with excellent transport links, high-quality facilities and a range of amenities on their doorstep.”  Prospective students can find out more at prestigestudentliving.com.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Watkin Jones has secured £60 million of new contracts, strengthening its project pipeline as demand continues to grow for the refurbishment, fire safety remediation and modernisation of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) across the UK. The residential developer and asset manager has signed six new contracts during the second half of its financial year, with five awarded through its specialist Refresh division, which focuses on upgrading existing student accommodation assets through refurbishment, remediation and compliance-led improvement works. The projects span Birmingham, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Glasgow, covering approximately 1,750 student beds and reflecting increasing investment across the sector to improve the quality, safety and long-term performance of existing accommodation. Alongside the retrofit programme, Watkin Jones has also partnered with Marick Real Estate to deliver a new Staycity aparthotel development in Oxford city centre, further broadening its activity across the living and hospitality sectors. The latest contracts underline a growing trend within the PBSA market, where investors are increasingly prioritising the enhancement of existing assets rather than solely pursuing new-build developments. Fire safety improvements, sustainability upgrades, energy efficiency measures and operational enhancements are becoming key drivers of investment as owners seek to extend building lifecycles while meeting evolving regulatory requirements and occupier expectations. Watkin Jones said the newly secured projects have been agreed at margins consistent with previous guidance, providing greater visibility over future revenues while supporting its strategy to diversify the business beyond traditional development activity. The company has also taken proactive steps to manage cost pressures by bringing forward procurement of selected subcontract packages and key construction materials, helping to reduce exposure to inflation and supply chain volatility. Despite the positive momentum, the company acknowledged that wider market conditions remain challenging. Ongoing uncertainty within real estate investment markets and slower transaction activity continue to influence the pace of recovery across the sector. Chief Executive Alex Pease said: “While market conditions remain challenging and continue to impact the pace of recovery and short-term real estate transaction liquidity, the long-term fundamentals of our end markets remain attractive. “The signing of six new contracts, with a combined value of £60 million at margins in line with guidance, signals further progress of our strategy to diversify the business, allowing us to strengthen our secured pipeline and enhance future revenue predictability.” For the construction and property sectors, the latest contract wins highlight the growing importance of retrofit within the UK’s living sector. As rising construction costs continue to affect the viability of some new developments, investment is increasingly being directed towards upgrading existing buildings, improving fire safety compliance, enhancing sustainability credentials and extending the operational life of residential assets. With demand for high-quality student accommodation remaining resilient in many university cities, refurbishment and asset optimisation are expected to play an increasingly significant role in the evolution of the UK’s PBSA market over the coming years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The UK’s largest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) provider is embarking on a major strategic overhaul, with plans to dispose of up to 20,000 student beds while warning that rising construction costs are threatening the delivery of new developments across the sector. Unite Group has confirmed it intends to streamline its portfolio, reducing its holdings from around 72,000 beds to approximately 55,000 beds across 20 key university cities. The move follows its acquisition of Empiric and reflects a growing focus on the UK’s highest-performing universities, where student demand continues to strengthen despite wider challenges facing the higher education sector. The company has already completed around £190 million of property disposals this year and now expects total sales to reach approximately £400 million, with proceeds supporting its wider investment strategy and share buyback programme. The portfolio reshaping comes at a time when many universities are facing financial pressures and softer student demand, particularly outside the country’s leading institutions. In contrast, applications to so-called high-tariff universities continue to grow, prompting Unite to concentrate future investment around locations with stronger long-term occupancy prospects. Alongside its portfolio review, Unite has issued a stark warning over the future pipeline of student accommodation developments, highlighting that soaring construction costs, more stringent building regulations and weaker investment values have made many new schemes financially unviable. According to the company, developments outside London now require weekly rents of more than £300 to achieve acceptable returns, compared with Unite’s current average regional rent of around £190 per week. The same economic pressures are also affecting the Build-to-Rent sector, where viability challenges are slowing the delivery of new residential developments across many parts of the UK. Despite these headwinds, Unite expects demand for high-quality student accommodation to remain resilient. A combination of fewer new developments, older PBSA schemes leaving the market and continued reductions in private rented housing available to students is expected to tighten supply over the coming years. Construction activity continues on two major off-campus developments. Hawthorne House in Stratford, providing 719 student beds, has now reached practical completion and is awaiting Building Safety Regulator approval before opening for the 2026/27 academic year. Meanwhile, the 934-bed Central Quay development in Glasgow remains on schedule for completion in 2027. The company is also reviewing plans for a further 2,400 consented beds across London and Bristol, with options including revised funding arrangements, joint venture partners or potential disposal depending on market conditions. Future growth is expected to be increasingly focused on partnerships with universities themselves. Unite has already committed to delivering more than 4,300 additional student beds through on-campus joint ventures, including the Castle Leazes redevelopment in Newcastle and Cambridge Hall in Manchester. For the construction and property sectors, Unite’s latest strategy reflects the changing dynamics of the PBSA market. While demand for student accommodation remains robust in key university locations, escalating construction costs, tighter regulatory requirements and shifting investment returns are reshaping development priorities, with greater emphasis on long-term partnerships, asset optimisation and selective investment in high-demand markets. The company also confirmed it expects to invest a further £61 million in fire safety remediation works over the next two years as part of its ongoing building improvement programme. Unite anticipates recovering between 50% and 75% of total cladding remediation costs through claims against contractors, although reimbursements are expected to follow after the remediation works have been completed. As the sector adapts to changing economic conditions, Unite’s strategy signals a significant shift towards portfolio quality over scale, reinforcing the importance of targeting resilient university markets while navigating one of the most challenging development environments the PBSA sector has experienced in recent years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HG Construction has secured two significant purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) contracts, further strengthening its position within one of the UK’s fastest-growing residential sectors. Appointed by Fusion Group as main contractor, the company will deliver major student living developments in Cardiff and Loughborough, adding to its expanding national portfolio. The latest appointments continue HG Construction’s strategic growth across the UK, where the contractor is currently delivering residential and PBSA developments in more than ten towns and cities, including London, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol. The Cardiff development at Longcross Court will transform a prominent urban site into a modern 17-storey student accommodation scheme. Designed to provide high-quality living environments in a sustainable city-centre location, the project will contribute to Cardiff’s growing student housing provision while making more effective use of an underutilised site. Meanwhile, in Loughborough, HG Construction will regenerate a derelict brownfield site adjacent to the Grand Union Canal Basin. The eight-storey development will deliver purpose-built student accommodation alongside a range of resident amenities, landscaped courtyards and attractive garden spaces, creating a well-connected and vibrant student community. For the construction sector, both schemes demonstrate the continued demand for high-quality PBSA developments as university cities seek to meet increasing student accommodation requirements through sustainable regeneration. The projects also highlight the importance of brownfield redevelopment in supporting housing delivery while reducing pressure on greenfield land. Beyond the residential buildings themselves, the developments will incorporate high-quality landscaping and public realm, reflecting the growing emphasis on placemaking, resident wellbeing and the creation of attractive, community-focused environments. Adam Quinn, Chief Executive Officer of HG Construction, said securing the two projects represented another important milestone in the company’s national expansion, adding that its continued growth was built on strong collaboration with partners who share a commitment to delivering exceptional living spaces and lasting benefits for local communities. Paul Miles, Group Construction Director at Fusion Group, said HG Construction had demonstrated its capability in delivering complex student accommodation projects, making the contractor a natural choice for both developments. He added that the Cardiff and Loughborough schemes would transform underused sites into high-quality residential environments with a strong emphasis on placemaking, long-term value and positive community impact. As investment in the UK’s student accommodation market continues, the latest projects reinforce the role of specialist contractors and developers in delivering sustainable, well-designed PBSA schemes that support both university growth and wider urban regeneration Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major point, the Topping Out stage, has been reached by Alumno, on behalf of Invesco Real Estate at the £29 million purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development ‘The Canvas Building’ on Moss Lane East in Manchester. The milestone event was celebrated by representatives from the Alumno team, the main contractor GMI Construction Group, and members of the wider project team. Due for final completion in time for the 2027 academic year, the Moss Lane East site will offer contemporary accommodation in a well-connected location close to both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, making it a highly attractive destination for all students Designed by Stallan Brand Architects, the development for Invesco Real Estate will provide high-quality accommodation for Manchester’s growing student population. It comprises a mix of cluster bedrooms and single-occupancy studio apartments, delivering a total of 261 student beds. Positioned overlooking Whitworth Park, the scheme combines a new nine-storey building with the sensitive refurbishment of an adjacent listed Georgian villa, creating a distinctive development that blends modern architecture with the preservation of local heritage. The building’s design incorporates high-quality brick and metal cladding to complement the surrounding area. Students will have access to an extensive range of amenities, including dedicated study and collaborative workspaces, social lounges, a cinema room, fitness facilities and a wellbeing space, helping to create a vibrant and supportive living environment. David Campbell, Managing Director of Alumno, said: “Reaching the topping out stage is an important milestone for everyone involved in this project and a testament to the hard work, dedication and collaboration of the team on site. We are proud to see the scheme taking shape, given the significant market challenges and to be delivering a development that will make a positive contribution to the local area.  Through a considered approach to design and planning, the project will provide much-needed, high-quality student accommodation for Manchester, including a proportion of rooms at affordable rents. As with every Alumno development, we have worked closely and sensitively with local stakeholders and the community throughout the process to ensure the scheme complements and enhances this vibrant neighbourhood, creating a place that will benefit both students and the wider community for years to come.” Phillip Johnson, Regional Director for the North West at GMI Construction Group, said: “Reaching this milestone is a significant achievement for everyone involved and reflects the hard work, collaboration and commitment shown by the entire project team. It’s fantastic to be joined on site by our client, project partners and stakeholders to celebrate the progress made. The building is really taking shape, and it’s rewarding to see the vision becoming reality. We are proud to be working alongside Alumno once again to deliver a development that will make a positive contribution to the local area while providing high-quality accommodation for future generations of students.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

One of London’s largest office-to-purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) conversion projects has taken a major step forward after a £113 million funding package was secured to transform the long-vacant Royal Albert Dock office complex into a thriving student community. Specialist lender Firma Partners has agreed the financing with DPK Group, enabling the redevelopment of approximately 450,000 sq ft of vacant commercial space into 1,085 high-quality student bedrooms. The completed scheme is expected to have a gross development value (GDV) of around £300 million. Located within the Royal Docks regeneration area in East London, the development will breathe new life into 20 office buildings originally constructed by Brookfield Multiplex for Chinese developer ABP. Following the collapse of ABP in 2022, the waterfront complex has remained largely vacant despite its prime location and excellent transport connections. Rather than undertaking extensive demolition and reconstruction, the project will focus predominantly on internal refurbishment and fit-out works, with no significant structural alterations required. This approach not only reduces construction costs and programme risk but also supports sustainability objectives by retaining the existing building fabric and significantly reducing embodied carbon compared with a new-build development. Construction is expected to take around 18 months, with practical completion targeted for the third quarter of 2027. For the construction and property sectors, the scheme highlights the growing importance of adaptive reuse as developers respond to changing market demands. With office vacancy rates remaining elevated in some locations and continued pressure on student accommodation across London, converting existing commercial assets into residential uses is becoming an increasingly attractive regeneration strategy. The Royal Albert Dock development also reinforces the ongoing regeneration of East London’s Royal Docks, one of the capital’s largest Opportunity Areas, where significant investment continues to reshape the district into a mixed-use destination combining residential, commercial, education and leisure facilities. Victor Librae, Chief Executive of Firma Partners, described the project as an outstanding opportunity that addresses London’s shortage of quality student accommodation while unlocking the value of a strategically located waterfront asset with significant regeneration potential. David Maxwell, Founder of DPK Group, said the site’s excellent connectivity and scale made it ideally suited to becoming a student-led campus environment, adding that the tailored funding solution would support the project’s successful delivery. As demand for PBSA continues to outstrip supply across many university cities, the Royal Albert Dock conversion demonstrates how innovative financing, sustainable refurbishment and adaptive reuse can work together to regenerate underutilised commercial assets while helping to meet the evolving accommodation needs of London’s growing student population. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McLaren Construction Midlands & North has completed the second and final phase of iQ Longwood Place, a landmark purpose-built student accommodation development close to the University of Warwick, delivering a transformational new student community. Developed by Topland Vintage Group and McLaren Property on behalf of iQ Student Accommodation (iQ), the completed scheme now provides 1,209 high-quality rooms across a vibrant campus environment designed to support student wellbeing, connectivity and community living. Its completion marks the culmination of a major regeneration project which has revitalised a previously underused business park, helping to strengthen the University of Warwick’s student accommodation offering. The first phase of the development, comprising 572 beds, completed in 2025 and the second phase involved delivering 637 beds. Replacing outdated office buildings and a former multi-storey car park, the scheme involved the demolition of Avon House, Swift House and associated structures to make way for nine new residential blocks across the two phases. Located a 15-minute walk from the University of Warwick and a short journey from Coventry city centre, iQ Longwood Place features extensive amenity and social spaces including lounges, study areas, a gym, karaoke room, arcade and landscaped outdoor spaces. Achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating, sustainability and environmental stewardship were central to the delivery of the project. McLaren Construction worked closely with ecologists, Coventry City Council and local stakeholders throughout the build to protect and enhance the surrounding natural environment, including the protection of mature trees and installation of bird boxes. During the project, materials from the original buildings including bricks, stone and concrete were crushed and reused on site, significantly reducing construction waste and supporting the project’s sustainability objectives. Alongside its environmental achievements, the project delivered significant social value outcomes for the local community. Working in partnership with Coventry City Council, more than £19.5m was generated in social return on investment through local supply chain spend, apprenticeships, employment opportunities and education engagement initiatives across Coventry and Warwickshire. Completing iQ Longwood Place brings the total number of beds delivered by McLaren Construction Midlands & North to 2,870.  This includes all phases of iQ Longwood Place, alongside schemes in Nottingham and Manchester. Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction Midlands & North, said: “The completion of iQ Longwood Place is a hugely significant milestone for McLaren Construction, Coventry and the wider University of Warwick community. This development has transformed a former business park into a vibrant new student village and played an important role in re-energising the area. “From the outset, this project has been about far more than delivering high-quality accommodation. We’ve worked closely with the council and the local community, local supply chain partners and iQ throughout the scheme, while remaining committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment around the site. “Completing the second phase required exceptional collaboration across the entire project team. The finished development will leave a lasting legacy for students and the city of Coventry for years to come.” William Davies, Director of Asset Management at Topland Vintage, said, “The delivery of Topland Vintage’s development for iQ at Longwood Place marks the very successful completion of our long-term project to transform a redundant office scheme into a market leading student campus.  All should be very proud of what has been created, and it has been a pleasure to work with such an expert team.” George Basrawy, Head of Development for iQ, said, “We are delighted to add iQ Longwood Place to our portfolio, offering students a high-quality, campus-style living experience close to two leading universities. With phase two completing ahead of schedule, we can accommodate even more students in a location where demand continues to be strong. The number of students choosing to return for a second year in 2026/27 is a clear indication that the scheme is resonating with residents.  It was great to work with McLaren Construction, Topland Vintage and the wider Project team.” Claire Baxter, Senior Development Manager, McLaren Property, said: “We are extremely proud to mark the successful completion of this 1,209-bed student accommodation scheme, which represents a significant milestone for both our team and the wider community. From the outset, our ambition was to deliver a high-quality, sustainable and future-focused living environment that responds to the evolving needs of today’s students.  Achieving completion at this scale is a testament to the collaborative effort of our partners, consultants, and contractors, whose expertise and commitment have been instrumental throughout the project. We are confident this scheme will make a lasting positive impact, enhancing the local area and providing students with an exceptional place to live, learn and thrive.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major new chapter in Glasgow’s city centre regeneration has moved a step closer after plans for a 25-storey purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) tower received planning approval, paving the way for the first phase of a £250m mixed-use development. The scheme forms part of the ambitious Charing Cross Gateway masterplan, which aims to transform a prominent gateway site into a vibrant new urban quarter featuring student accommodation, Grade A offices, residential homes, retail space and high-quality public realm. Developer CXG Glasgow has secured detailed planning consent for a 620-bed student accommodation building at Elmbank Gardens, located on the corner of Bath Street and Newton Street. Designed by Michael Laird Architects, the development will create modern student living in one of Glasgow’s most accessible city centre locations, helping to address continued demand for high-quality accommodation close to the city’s universities. Enabling works are already underway, with demolition specialist Reigart Contracts currently clearing two former 1960s buildings from the site. The demolition programme is expected to be completed by August, preparing the site for the next stage of development. Construction of the student accommodation tower is anticipated to begin during 2027, with the completed development expected to welcome students in 2030. The approval represents the first significant milestone for the wider Charing Cross Gateway regeneration, which secured outline planning consent last year. Future phases will introduce Grade A office accommodation, private residential homes, retail and leisure uses, creating a diverse mixed-use destination that will reconnect an important part of Glasgow’s city centre. As well as delivering much-needed student accommodation, the wider masterplan is expected to generate substantial economic benefits through construction activity, long-term employment opportunities and increased investment in the surrounding area. Andrew Richardson, Managing Director of Development at ESR DevCo, described the approval as a major milestone for the project, saying it brings the development team significantly closer to transforming one of Glasgow’s most prominent gateway sites. He added that the investment would help support construction jobs while creating fresh momentum for regeneration across the city centre. Purpose-built student accommodation continues to attract strong investor interest across the UK, with university cities such as Glasgow experiencing sustained demand driven by growing student populations and a continued shortage of modern, professionally managed accommodation. Developments such as Charing Cross Gateway are increasingly combining student housing with commercial, residential and public realm improvements to create well-connected, sustainable urban communities. With demolition progressing and construction scheduled to commence in 2027, the Charing Cross Gateway project represents one of Glasgow’s most significant city centre regeneration schemes and is set to play an important role in shaping the city’s future skyline and economic growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals