Castle Leazes redevelopment underway

Construction of new student accommodation at Newcastle University’s Castle Leazes has commenced, with the stairwell and lift cores in the first building now installed.

This will be followed by the building of the structural steel frame which will act as the skeleton of the building and allow for scaffolding to be erected ahead of the first of the eight floors being poured.

This first phase of development will see the first of two buildings being built, which will open in time for the 2028/9 academic year. When the redevelopment is complete there will be two new buildings, each sub-divided into 12 blocks of modern and sustainable living spaces for students.

The project is a joint venture between the University and Unite Students, the UK’s largest, owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), and is the first of its kind in the UK.

Nick Collins, Chief Financial Officer, Newcastle University, said: “I’m delighted that construction of the redeveloped Castle Leazes is now well under way. Working with our partners at Unite Students, the redevelopment of Castle Leazes is a key part of our strategy to ensure we offer our students high-quality and sustainable accommodation.”

Tom Brewerton, Group Development Director, Unite Students said: “We’re pleased to be on site and moving forward with the construction of Castle Leazes. This development is a major milestone in our long-term partnership with Newcastle University and will ensure more students have access to modern, energy -efficient accommodation close to campus. We’re excited to see the buildings begin to take shape in the coming weeks and moving a step closer to realising our vision for this unique project.”

Planning permission for the new development was given by Newcastle City Council in 2025.

The approved plans will see the comprehensive redevelopment of the Castle Leazes site, creating a vibrant student village that meets the evolving needs of the university’s student population.

Newcastle City Council’s planning committee highlighted that the development will provide significant benefits to the local economy and job market, and also help to boost the university’s income stream and ability to attract students to the city.

Modern and sustainable design

Key aspects of the approved plans include:

• Modern and sustainable design:
  • Energy-efficient buildings designed with sustainability at their core.
  • A range of room types, designed to meet diverse student requirements.
• Enhanced community spaces:
  • Increased communal areas, including social hubs, games rooms, study spaces, and outdoor courtyards, designed to foster a sense of community.
• Contribution to the City:
  • The project will contribute to the city’s housing strategy by providing purpose-built student accommodation, helping to alleviate pressure on the private rental market.

The total development cost will be c.£250 million and Unite will act as development and asset manager. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For Newcastle University enquiries, please contact press.office@ncl.ac.uk 

For Unite Students’ enquiries, please contact the press office on 0117 4506300 or email: press.office@unitestudents.com

About Newcastle University

Newcastle University, UK, is a thriving international community of more than 28,000 students from over 130 countries worldwide.

As a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities in the UK, Newcastle has a world-class reputation for research excellence in the fields of medicine, science and engineering, social sciences and the humanities.

Its academics are sharply focused on responding to the major challenges facing society today. Research and teaching are world-leading in areas as diverse as health, culture, technology and the environment.

Newcastle is committed to providing students with excellent, research-led teaching delivered by dedicated and passionate teachers.

Newcastle University placed 89th in the world in TIME Magazine World’s Top Universities report 2026 and 36^th in the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2026.

Newcastle University is ranked 137th in the QS World Ranking 2026 and joint 144th in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026.

Newcastle University is Top 100 in the world for sustainable development in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024.

About Unite Students

Unite Students is the UK’s largest owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) serving the country’s world-leading higher education sector. We provide homes to 72,000 students across 208 properties in 29 leading university towns and cities. We currently partner with over 60 universities across the UK.

Our people are driven by a common purpose: to provide a ‘Home for Success’ for the students who live with us. Unite Students’ accommodation is safe and secure, high quality and affordable. Students live predominantly in en-suite study bedrooms with rents covering all bills, insurance, 24-hour security and high-speed Wi-Fi.

We are committed to raising standards in the student accommodation sector for our customers, investors and employees. Our Sustainability Strategy includes a commitment to become net zero carbon across our operations and developments by 2030.

Founded in 1991 in Bristol, the Unite Group is an award-winning Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.unitegroup.com, www.unitestudents.com or  www.hellostudent.co.uk.