Development pipeline
We aim to have a development pipeline of more than 2,000 beds per annum, creating high-quality accommodation in prime locations.
Featured city
City of Nottingham
In line with our strategy to align with the strongest universities, we are expanding our portfolio in Nottingham. This includes two new developments which will help meet an increasing need for student accommodation in the city.

Two new developments in Nottingham
Nottingham is home to two high-quality universities, the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University with a growing population of some 64,000 students, an increase of 20% in recent years.
Unite Students already owns and manages approximately 1,900 students beds across three separate sites in Nottingham. We have planning approval for two further developments of 970 beds which will open to students in 2023 and 2024:
- Development has started on a new 700 bed development at Derby Road, adjacent to the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus.
- Work will start later in 2022 on a 270 bed development which will retain part of the original property in Lower Parliament Street, close to Nottingham Trent University’s planned city centre campus development.
This second development will be primarily targeted at second, third and postgraduate students.
Featured property
Hayloft Point, Aldgate East, London
Construction is well underway on a flagship 920 bed scheme on the site of a former 1960s office block in the City of London.


Previously paused because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this mixed-use development sits above the remains of the 16th Century, Shakespearian-era Boar’s Head Playhouse, which is being carefully preserved within the building’s footprint when it opens to students in 2022. Project duration is 112 weeks.
As well as providing accommodation, this project in partnership with King’s College London, includes flexible office space, an exhibition area open to the public and a new community space which will be leased by a non-for-profit voluntary and community sector organisation on a three year peppercorn lease following a tender process. It also includes an 8th floor external roof terrace and the target is to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.
Featured property
Campbell House, Bristol
A new 431-bed property on the former Bristol Royal Infirmary site which is due to open for the start of the 2022/23 academic year.


The old Bristol Royal Infirmary Hospital site was acquired in 2015 and the build includes retaining and restoring Fripps Chapel, a grade II listed building which will become an arts hub for a cultural tenant.
Work on the site includes working with the local council highways team to upgrade roads around the site so the plot returns to use within the city centre. With construction paused during the pandemic, work on the £45 million development has restarted and once completed will be Unite Student’s 15th student accommodation block in Bristol, also incorporating accommodation for young professionals working in the city.
Nick Hayes, Group Property Director, said:
“Campbell House will be the jewel in the crown of our properties in Bristol. The mixed-use development will create unique space, sensitively combining new with old in a prime city-centre location.”
“We hope it will become a real asset for both the local community and for the city of Bristol more widely.”
Looking to develop sites - In the pipeline:
For September 2022
We will deliver almost 1,400 beds across two developments, one in London and the other in Bristol.
For 2023 and beyond
Abbey Lane, Edinburgh
A 298-bed development will support the ongoing regeneration of this area of the city and at the same time help to meet unmet demand for purpose built student accommodation in the area. Read more.
Derby Road, Nottingham
A new 700 bed development at Derby Road adjacent to the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus. Read more.
Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham
Work will start later in 2022 on a 270 bed development which will retain part of the original property in Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, close to Nottingham Trent University’s planned city centre campus development. This development will be primarily targeted at second, third and postgraduate students. Read more.
Baltic Wharf, Paddington, London
We plan to make this new development one of our most sustainable buildings by significantly reducing embodied carbon through the use of innovative design and materials with low embodied carbon.
Subject to planning approval, this 800-bed building will be our first net-zero carbon development during construction. Nestled between the Westway flyover and the Grand Union Canal, its green credentials will include a stepped roof garden, which will continue a green ribbon of trees and landscaping that already runs alongside the canal. The equivalent space of seven tennis courts will be landscaped and planted with grasses, shrubs and 25 mature trees.
Once operational, the building will run on 100% renewable sources of heat and electricity, and 10,000 litres of rainwater will be collected annually from roof terraces and used to flush toilets.
Nick Hayes, Group Property Director, said:
“We are aiming for this to be our first ever net-zero carbon building. The development will re-use rainwater, maximise natural light, be fully insulated and will use 100% renewable sources of heat and electricity.
“It will also help to meet the considerable unmet demand for student housing in London, while also bringing substantial social and economic benefits to the area. This is an excellent location for student housing, given its fantastic public transport links and close proximity to so many universities and colleges.”
Land requirements in 2022
We are actively purchasing well located development sites in London and the regions to continue to develop much needed high quality and good value purpose built student accommodation. Download our brochure to find out more.

Development Press Releases
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like more information, please email Marcus Weeks (Acquisition and Development Director) on marcus.weeks@unitestudents.com



Our suppliers
We work with long-standing contractor partners from the outset of each development. This ensures they are an integral part of the development team, contributing to design, risk mitigation and costing throughout the project. By taking this integrated approach, we are able to deliver accommodation schemes with market leading build costs and shorter lead-times without compromising quality.