Unite Students and MMU receive approval for Cambridge Halls redevelopment

The Building Safety Regulator has granted Gateway 2 approval for the first phase of the £286m Cambridge Halls redevelopment project in Manchester. The project is a joint venture between Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), with the university holding a 30% ownership stake.

Demolition of the former student accommodation has been completed, and structural groundworks are currently underway. The development will deliver a total of 2,300 student bedspaces through two phases. The first phase, comprising approximately 1,101 beds, is scheduled to open for the 2029/30 academic year. The second phase, providing 1,201 beds, is expected to open one year later.

Designed by architect Cartwright Pickard, the scheme will feature towers of 24 and 30 storeys offering a mix of studios and cluster flats. Amenities are set to include a large-scale communal kitchen and dining floor, a rooftop exercise area, and sports pitches. Graham has been appointed as the main contractor for the project.