UK & Ireland

As the cost-of-living crisis continues in the UK, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that pressures on students are only likely...

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD announced their joint plan to develop design standards for Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in Ireland.

Empiric Student Property is exploring bringing on board a joint venture partner to grow its portfolio of student accommodation. The company, which reported strong half-year results yesterday, said in an analyst briefing that it had engaged PwC to look at options to expand its portfolio.

Empiric Student Property boasted a “very strong start” to 2023 as it raised its full-year guidance and pumped up its interim dividend.

The three-year extendable facility represents a move by MCR to enhance liquidity with a focus on a specific number of properties within its portfolio, including two student accommodation schemes in Liverpool, phase two of a residential development in Luton and two industrial business parks in Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.

Plans to build two tower blocks containing more than 600 student rooms in Wembley have been given the green light despite anger from local residents. Developer Tribe Student Housing will now build one tower up to 27-storeys for 419 rooms and a second 21-storey block containing 200 rooms.

Knight Frank has expanded its Project & Building Consultancy team with the appointment of Rob Brown as Partner. Before joining Knight Frank, Rob was at Mileway Real Estate.  

The development lender Atelier has provided finance to specialist regeneration developer Rengen for four new schemes. Since February, Atelier has provided four separate loans this year, ranging from £2.7m to £7.3m to Rengen for a series of PBSA regeneration schemes with a Gross Development Value totalling £30.1m.

Donegal County Council has paved the way for a massive development in the heart of Letterkenny. The ambitious 240,000 square foot development, which will front onto Pearse Road, Port Road and Isle Lane, will include 154 student bedrooms, 13 apartments and a raft of office spaces and retail units.

Manchester City Council has approved the development, which is designed by architects Carson Sall and comprises a new build nine-storey block along with the refurbishment of an adjacent listed Georgian Villa overlooking Whitworth Park.