Manchester: Gateway 2 Approval for our 2,302 bed PBSA scheme
Phase One of our Cambridge Halls PBSA scheme in Manchester has achieved Gateway 2 approval, marking a major milestone for this significant student accommodation development.
Designed for Manchester Metropolitan University and Unite Student Living, Cambridge Halls will replace outdated student accommodation with 2,302 new homes, delivered across two phases.
The development is organised around landscaped central courtyards, with the massing responding to the different scales of the surrounding context. Lower elements address Hulme and Cambridge Street before the scheme steps up towards the university campus and city, culminating in 24- and 30-storey towers. Changes in height and articulation help break down the overall scale of the development and strengthen its relationship with the surrounding streets.
Alongside the new student bedrooms, Cambridge Halls will provide a comprehensive range of spaces designed to support student life beyond individual accommodation. Dedicated study and social spaces create opportunities for both focused work and interaction, complemented by gyms and wellness facilities. Landscaped courtyards and rooftop terraces extend these shared amenities outdoors, providing additional spaces for recreation, relaxation and socialising.
Sustainability has informed the design from the outset. The scheme is targeting BREEAM Excellent and is benchmarked against the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, with a focus on operational energy, water use and embodied carbon performance.
“Achieving Gateway 2 is an important milestone for phase one of Cambridge Halls and reflects the considerable work and collaboration across the whole project team. It’s a significant scheme in both scale and ambition, and one that builds on our extensive expertise in designing and delivering complex PBSA that creates high-quality places for students.”
— Ross Ogilvie, Director
