The Building Safety Regulator has cleared the first phase of the 2,302-bed student accommodation scheme, allowing structural groundworks to get underway following completion of demolition.

The project will replace Manchester Met’s former 770-bed Cambridge Halls complex with a series of buildings rising to 30 storeys.

Unite Students is delivering the development through a long-term joint venture with the university, which has taken a 30% stake in the partnership and contributed the site.

Piling work gets underway on major Manchester student scheme

The scheme will be built in two phases. The first 1,101-bed phase is due to open for the start of the 2029/30 academic year, with the second 1,201-bed phase following a year later.

Designed by Cartwright Pickard, the development will provide a mix of cluster flats, studios and postgraduate accommodation alongside communal kitchens, dining areas, rooftop exercise space and sports facilities.

The buildings are targeting BREEAM Excellent and will use air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, heat-recovery ventilation and intelligent building management systems to cut operational energy use.

The redevelopment forms part of Manchester Met’s wider campus investment programme for its 44,000 students, which also includes plans for a new digitally enabled library.

Unite Students group development director Tom Brewerton said: “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.”