Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University move forward with construction of 2,302-bed student accommodation

• The Building Safety Regulator has granted approval for the first phase of construction at Cambridge Halls.
• Demolition of Manchester Metropolitan University’s former Cambridge Halls student accommodation has been completed.
• The structural groundworks are now underway.

Unite Students, the UK’s largest provider of student accommodation, and Manchester Metropolitan University have received approval from the Building Safety Regulator to begin construction of new student accommodation.

The redevelopment of Cambridge Halls will provide modern, affordable and sustainable accommodation for 2,302 students in the heart of the university’s campus.

Demolition of its former 770-bed halls of residence is complete and main construction has now started with structural groundworks underway.

The partnership between Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan, the fifth largest university in the UK recently named Modern University of the Year 2026 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, forms an important part of the university’s strategy to build a modern campus for its 44,000 students.

In taking a 30% ownership stake in the joint venture and contributing the value of its land, the university is able to retain capital for other initiatives in its campus masterplan, including its new library, a purpose-built digitally enabled facility.

The Cambridge Halls scheme has been designed to suit a range of student needs and budgets, with a mix of cluster flats, studios and postgraduate accommodation. It includes an innovative, large-scale communal kitchen and dining floor.

There is also a breadth of high-quality amenities on offer, including a rooftop exercise area and sports pitches to help attract students of all years.

In addition to improving the supply and quality of Manchester Met’s on-campus accommodation, the redeveloped Cambridge Halls site will include facilities that will benefit the wider community.

The development is being delivered in two phases with the first (1,101 beds) phase, which has received Gateway 2 approval, to open for the start of the 2029/30 academic year, and phase two (1,201 beds) opening the following year.

Tom Brewerton, Group Development Director, at Unite Students, said: “This is another major milestone in the redevelopment of Cambridge Halls and our exciting, partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.

“We began the demolition of the former Cambridge Halls accommodation just seven months after agreeing the joint venture framework and are pleased to be able to move to the next phase of development.

“Purpose-built student accommodation is fundamental to the UK’s higher education sector, and this partnership demonstrates the real benefits such collaborations can deliver for students, universities and local communities.”

Andrew Fallon, Chief Property Officer, Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “It is exciting to reach another milestone in the continuing development of our city-centre campus.

“Working alongside Unite Students, Cambridge Halls will deliver next-generation student living at the heart of our university with enhanced shared public areas that will benefit our wider community.

“We look forward to seeing the scheme progress as we deliver on our commitment to delivering an outstanding student experience.”