Unite Students to develop 2,300 new student beds in Manchester

UK PBSA provider Unite Students will partner with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to build 2,300 new student beds at the existing Cambridge Halls site in Manchester's city centre. 

Cambridge Halls

The outdated 770-bed Cambridge Halls will be closed later this year. 
The £390 mln (€458 mln) project, slated to begin construction in 2026 and finish by 2030, will be a joint venture, with MMU owning 30% and Unite Students 70% (approximately £125 mln investment funded internally and through debt). 
Unite Students will also manage the development and resulting property. 
Meanwhile, Unite Students will provide MMU with 2,550 beds in its other Manchester properties for five years. 
The planning application is expected to be submitted soon, with the joint venture officially formed by the end of 2025.
Andrew Fallon, chief property officer, Manchester Metropolitan University, commented: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Unite Students for the redevelopment of Cambridge Halls. This joint venture will provide much-needed additional purpose-built student accommodation in Manchester, right on the doorstep of our University. The project will not only enhance the quality of housing for students, but also benefit the surrounding community through new health, wellbeing, and retail offerings.”
Joe Lister, Unite Students CEO, added: “Partnering with Manchester Metropolitan University to redevelop Cambridge Halls and deliver much needed, high-quality and affordable accommodation for 2,300 students is a hugely exciting step for Unite Students. Our joint-venture partnership will provide further support to Manchester Metropolitan University in meeting their accommodation needs at a time of real housing shortage, so they can focus on providing a world-class experience for their students.”
Manchester Metropolitan University is one of the UK's largest universities, primarily serving domestic students. This joint venture strengthens a 20+ year partnership with Unite Students. Manchester, a major university city with over 100,000 full-time students, faces a student housing shortage. This project, situated in the university district, will expand Unite Students' presence in the city to nearly 8,000 beds, improving operational efficiency.