UK: Unite Students is to spend £65 million on upgrading three of its Manchester properties.
The work at Parkway Gate, Kincardine Court and New Medlock House is scheduled to be completed by September, in time for the start of the 2022/23 academic year.
Work is already under way and will see the creation of more than 100 new beds, as well as fire safety and sustainability enhancements.
Parkway Gate is undergoing a £38 million refurbishment which will include significant alteration to the outer shell of the building for fire safety improvements as well as a full internal reconfiguration, creating a new communal space with a gym, cinema room and study areas. Fourteen new beds will be added, bringing the total to 754. Air source heat pumps and new windows will be installed throughout the property, improving environmental performance.
Work at Kincardine Court includes a £12.1 million 92-bed new build extension, as well as a £3.28 million refurbishment of the existing property to enhance its EPC rating. New features will reduce water wastage and boost energy efficiency, including a smart energy management system. In trials, water use at the property has been reduced by 50 per cent.
New Medlock House is undergoing an £11.2 million refurbishment to enhance its EPC rating which will include the installation of air source heat pumps and improvements to the solar panel system, amongst other measures.
Tom Brewerton, group development director at Unite Students, said: “These projects represent a significant investment for Unite Students. The enhancements reflect our current priorities: The day-to-day happiness of our residents, strong partnerships with leading universities, and the wellbeing and safety of all those who live and work in our buildings. The business recently launched its refreshed sustainability strategy and pathway to net zero by 2030. Upgrades like these in Manchester form a central part of the journey. We are determined to operate in the most sustainable and resource-efficient way we can. Work continues at pace, and we look forward to welcoming students back to the new and improved properties at the start of the next academic year.”
