UK: The University of Manchester is inviting bids for a contract worth up to £400 million to design, build, finance and operate new student accommodation in the city.
The university has sent out a contract notice for a student housing partner to work on the new student halls at its Fallowfield campus in the suburb of Fallowfield, around three miles south of Manchester city centre.
Valued between £275 million and £400 million, the notice states that the duration of the contract will be 50 years, commencing from 30 September 2025 and ending in 2075. It is therefore anticipated that whichever company is eventually chosen as the student housing partner would have ongoing maintenance responsibility.
Two months ago, the University of Manchester unveiled major plans to redevelop the Fallowfield site, which include replacing existing sleeping facilities with up to 3,300 new bedspaces. By the time the redevelopment is expected to have concluded, the university expects to be providing up to 5,400 at its Fallowfield campus alone.
In addition, the redevelopment plans include the demolition of Owens Park Tower, which has remained closed for the last two years. The full project is expected to be delivered in several phases.
With more than 46,000 students in its total enrolment, the University of Manchester is the third-largest university in the UK.
The University of Manchester is accepting bid submissions by the deadline of 20 September 2023.
