UK & Ireland

Watkin Jones has sold its new purpose-built student accommodation scheme, The Ard, in Glasgow. The 784-bed scheme will be managed through Fresh, with a target completion date for the 2028/29 academic year.

Firethorn has appointed HG Construction to deliver a 204-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Hackney Wick, with 35% of the units designated as affordable housing and completion targeted for the 2027/28 academic year.

LDS Devco has appointed Fresh to mobilise, market, and manage the Biscuit Factory PBSA scheme in Belfast city centre, set to open for the 2026/2027 academic year with 724 beds across studios and ensuite flats.

Construction firm Sisk has been appointed main contractor to deliver 493 new student accommodation beds at University College Dublin’s Belfield campus, supported by €67 million in state funding confirmed by Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless.

Housing Hand operates as the UK's largest professional guarantor service, supporting students and working professionals in securing and maintaining rental accommodation. GSL News sat down...

MCR Property Group has acquired two former University of Hull student accommodation blocks, The Lawns and Ferens Hall in Cottingham, with plans for a multi-million-pound refurbishment and the addition of 90 new homes, aiming to reopen modern student housing by the next academic year.

Glasgow City Council has approved HP Invest’s plans for a mixed-use development in Tradeston, Glasgow, featuring 848 student accommodation units and 252 build-to-rent apartments across six buildings totaling around 750,000 sq ft.

Global Student leads the UK and European PBSA market by offering fully integrated facilities management services that combine maintenance, compliance, and supply needs, streamlining operations for student housing providers.

The University of Liverpool has submitted a planning application to redevelop five buildings at Mulberry Court, creating 238 new student bed spaces to accommodate an expected increase of 3,000 students by 2031.

Dominus has appointed John Blanshard as director of PBSA and Sarah Reynolds as PBSA operations director to lead the launch of its student housing platform in 2026, focusing on premium student homes and university partnerships.