Unite set to deliver 600-bed PBSA Scheme in Bristol

The UK's leading provider of student accommodation, Unite Students, is embarking on a major project to construct a 600-bed development as part of Bristol's expansive regeneration initiative, Marsh Mills.

With a total investment of £75 million, Marsh Mills will be strategically located adjacent to the University of Bristol's newly established Temple Quarter campus, near Temple Meads train station.

Notably, a lease agreement has been secured with the Russell Group University for at least half of the rooms.

The development, scheduled to open in time for the academic year 2025/26, has received planning permission for 596 beds.

Noteworthy is its commitment to a 'fabric first' approach, substantially reducing operational energy consumption. This focus on energy efficiency spans the entire lifecycle of the building, from design and construction to material manufacturing, transportation, installation, and ongoing use. Additionally, the development will integrate air source heat pumps and solar panels to further enhance sustainability.

Marsh Mills stands out for achieving a remarkable embodied carbon saving of 7,300 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) over the building's lifecycle, aligning with the RIBA Climate Challenge's 2025 targets for embodied carbon in new residential buildings.

Situated within the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and St Philip's Marsh, acknowledged as one of the UK's largest regeneration projects, the property will feature various communal amenities, including study spaces, a roof terrace, a gym, and convenient cycle storage facilities. This strategic development marks a significant contribution to Bristol's urban revitalisation and sustainable living initiatives.

A director at Unite Students, Tom Brewerton, commented: "Bristol is where it all began for Unite Students and this new property is in a vitally important scheme for students in the city. Marsh Mills will be built alongside the University of Bristol's new Temple Quarter campus plus the city's Temple Meads train station.

"This development is further evidence of Unite Students' commitment to delivering a new supply of high-quality student accommodation in cities where it is needed most. Marsh Mills will have a low-carbon impact on the environment and will be built and open in time for the start of the 2025/26 academic year, adding to our portfolio in the city and contributing to the much-needed regeneration of the Temple Quarter and St Philip's Marsh area of the city."

Construction for the project is now underway after RG Group were awarded the build contract.