UK & Ireland

MCR Property Group has acquired an 862-bed student accommodation portfolio in Preston, comprising Foundry Court (438 beds) and Trinity Student Village (424 beds), expanding its Flow Student platform and establishing immediate scale in a key North West university market.

Landlords of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) sold off at least 2,000 student accommodation beds across the UK in the last 12 months ahead of the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.

GMI Construction has completed a £17 million student accommodation project on Foss Islands Road, York, delivering 133 beds across studios and apartments for Urbium Capital and Gregory Property Group, including study areas, gym facilities, and social spaces.

Elkstone has completed Queen Street Place, a 345-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Galway city centre, operated by UK-based platform Mezzino, addressing a critical shortage of student housing in the region.

Last October, we highlighted the growing challenge of conflict in student accommodation. Students were increasingly using their free-text comments to describe disputes with flatmates...

Watkin Jones PLC’s Refresh segment has been appointed by Aprirose Ltd to refurbish Central Studios, a 141-studio PBSA asset in Reading, focusing on soft refurbishments and reconfiguring amenity and reception spaces to improve functionality and appeal.

GMI Construction has completed the Foss Islands Road PBSA development in York, delivering 133 student beds ahead of the 2026/27 academic year under a £17 million contract for Urbium Capital and Gregory Property Group.

Lee McLean will become CEO of Placefirst on 3 August, succeeding David Mawson who steps down after six years and moves to executive chair. McLean joins from Campus Living Ventures, where he was CEO for seven years, bringing extensive residential sector experience.

Londonderry House, a vacant 175-bedroom student accommodation block in Birmingham city centre, is set for auction on 9 July by Bond Wolfe with a guide price starting at £695,000.

A 300-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) asset, ViBE Kingston, comprising 189 ensuites and 111 studios with extensive amenities, has been placed on the market, offering a net initial yield of 5.85%.