UK: Global Mutual and Patron Capital have secured planning consent to convert office space at the St Johns Centre in Leeds into a PBSA asset.
The site is currently occupied by a mix of uses including retail, commercial and offices.
Designed by Leonard Design Architects, the scheme will see the existing office space replaced with 287 student bedrooms in a mix of studios and cluster bedrooms. The central courtyard of the shopping centre will be transformed into a private roof garden.
A public consultation in April found an overwhelming majority of respondents supported the proposals, with the majority describing the site and location as ideal for new student accommodation.
Located within the city centre, future residents of the St John’s Centre scheme will benefit from easy access to Leeds Beckett University, the Leeds University of Arts and the University of Leeds.
Global Mutual and Patron Capital are seeking an operator to develop the scheme in time to welcome students for the 2027/28 academic year.
Brett Radley, European development manager at Global Mutual, said: “We’re happy that our plans for new student accommodation at the St Johns Centre have been approved by officers at Leeds City Council. As demand for student accommodation grows, this development will deliver new accommodation in an increasingly popular part of the city, supporting the vibrancy of Leeds’s’ universities and reducing pressures on family housing. The creation of a new student community within the St Johns Centre will support retailers at the centre, increasing customer footfall and providing a new customer base from within the building. We would like to thank officers at Leeds City Council for working with us so positively on this application. We’ll soon commence construction at the St Johns Centre and look forward to welcoming the first cohort of students in September 2027.”
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, added: “This development, which has now seen its planning application approved, will help meet growing demand for student accommodation in this part of the city centre, freeing up family housing elsewhere and supporting retail and other businesses in the city centre. It’s pleasing that the original building structure of the St John’s Centre will be retained by converting offices to accommodation, rather than have to demolish the building and rebuild from scratch.”
