Unite Students completes purchase of one acre development site in central Aberdeen – 16 March 2015

Unite Students, the UK’s leading developer and manager of student accommodation, today announces completion of the purchase of a one acre site in the centre of Aberdeen.

The site was acquired from Aberdeen City Council in February 2014 subject to planning permission, which was granted in December 2014.

The site, currently occupied by the derelict listed Causewayend school building, has been vacant for several years and the target of vandalism. The proposals will regenerate the site and surrounding area with extensive refurbishment to the stone façade, a new roof for the school building and replacement sash windows, bringing the building back to its former glory.

Once complete the 120,000 square foot scheme will provide a safe and secure home for 399 students. The school building, which will house 16% of the bedrooms with the remaining rooms being built in a new six storey property adjacent to the property, is expected to be completed in time for the 2016/17 academic year.

Causewayend will be Unite’s fifth property in Aberdeen and is ideally located close to existing student accommodation in the centre of the city, within walking distance of The University of Aberdeen and with good transport links to Robert Gordon University.

Richard Simpson, Managing Director of Property for Unite Students, commented:

“We are very pleased to have completed the purchase of our fifth site in Aberdeen, where we already provide a home for over 1,300 students.

“Aberdeen has a large and growing student population and there is a critical shortage of purpose built student accommodation. We are pleased to be able to help ease the pressure on the local student property market and provide a safe and secure home for students that supports their success, as well as regenerating a listed local landmark which has remained derelict for some time.”

Aberdeen City Council’s Communities, Housing and Infrastructure convener Councillor Neil Cooney said:

“Student accommodation is at a premium in Aberdeen and so this important new development will make a significant difference in this sector of the market.

“The City Council has well-developed policies and plans in place to address the shortage of affordable accommodation in the city, including in the rental sector, and I am delighted that Unite is ready to develop the Causewayend site to help us achieve our aims.”