A significant £59m development combining student accommodation and homes for rent begins in Edinburgh.
- Unite Students ventures into its first mixed-use residential development with this project.
- The development will feature sustainable construction materials, prioritising low carbon emissions.
- Increased housing options aim to alleviate Edinburgh’s supply-demand housing imbalance.
- Completion of this pioneering project is expected by September 2025.
Main contractor Graham has officially launched construction activities for a substantial £59m development in Edinburgh that uniquely combines provisions for student accommodation with build-to-rent housing options. This ambitious project marks a significant step in urban residential offerings, melding student flats with residential homes to create a diverse living space.
This development, located in Abbey Lane, is Unite Students’ pioneering venture into a mixed-use residential scheme. Known as the Burnet Point scheme, it brings together 298 student bedrooms within cluster and studio flats, additionally offering 66 rental apartments, among which 17 units are designated as affordable housing managed by Hillcrest Homes. The initiative underscores a dedicated effort to diversify housing availability in a robust urban market.
The project emphasises sustainability through the use of low-carbon concrete and timber composite materials, establishing it as Unite Students’ lowest-carbon new-build project. This focus on green building practices is expected to set benchmarks in sustainable construction, aligning with contemporary environmental priorities within the industry.
With this development, Unite Students and Graham aim to address the existing supply-demand imbalance in Edinburgh’s rental market. Tom Brewerton, Group Development Director at Unite Students, remarked on the unique nature of the venture, highlighting its potential positive contribution to local housing dynamics.
The project’s slated completion is in September 2025, positioning it as a forward-thinking venture set to meet the demands of an evolving rental market. Gary Holmes, the Regional Managing Director of Graham Building North, articulated the importance of sustainable construction in meeting market demands for both student accommodation and rental housing.
Graham and Unite Students’ £59m venture is poised to revolutionise Edinburgh’s housing landscape with its sustainable and inclusive approach.
