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UK: Ward Group Investments (WGI) has acquired an office building in Durham for a PBSA conversion.
WGI bought Hopper House on Atherton Street from Durham Council, and will convert the former office building into a 45-bed PBSA scheme.
The 18,000 square foot, three-storey property has been vacant for 12 years and will now comprise studio apartments, a residents’ gym, a cinema room, office space for WGI’s new headquarters, and a landscaped study garden.
Significant upgrades will be made to the building’s exterior. Public realm and financial contributions secured through the planning process will improve pedestrian routes in the surrounding area.
WGI’s asset manager, Katy Blair, worked alongside Peter Clegg at Keystone Law to bring the deal to completion so that the development can be ready in time for the 2027 academic year.
The wider project team included Howarth Litchfield Architects, Lichfields, and a consultant team including Kinetic Consultants, BDN Structural Engineers, Innovation Fire Engineering, Andrew Mosely Consultants, and Consult North.
Construction is scheduled to begin early summer 2026 and will be delivered by group company Viaduct Residences.
“The scheme achieved unanimous approval from the planning committee, which is no mean feat considering the building has been vacant for over a decade – this is a strong endorsement of the collaborative approach we took throughout the planning process,” said development director Charles Ward. “We’ve worked closely with a strong design team to deliver a premium, sustainable development that not only brings a long-vacant building back into use but also supports Durham’s growing demand for purpose-built student accommodation.”
The deal follows closely after WGI acquired the Three Tuns PBSA scheme, also in Durham.
Highlights:
- Ward Group Investments has acquired Hopper House, a vacant office building in Durham
- It will convert the property in to a 45-bed PBSA scheme and a head office for the group
- Plans for the scheme include studio apartments, gym, cinema room, landscaped study garden, and office space for WGI’s headquarters
- Construction will start this year with scheduled completion in time for the 2027 academic year
