Pinsent Masons advises The University of Manchester on its residence strategy

The University of Manchester has appointed three professional services consultancies to consult on a major investment and development strategy for its student accommodation.

Following a selection process, lead and property consultants, CBRE will be supported by Pinsent Masons alongside corporate finance advisors QMPF.

A team at Pinsent Masons is being led by Head of Universities Victoria Goddard and Infrastructure Legal Director Chris Owens.

Commenting on the project, Victoria said: “We are excited to be supporting The University of Manchester on this transformational development which will modernise student accommodation enabling the university to offer high quality, environmentally friendly housing for all of their students.

“Our expertise across both the universities and property development sectors enabled us to assemble a multi-disciplinary team equipped to support on this important project.”

The University has begun this process to accelerate the planned modernisation of its student accommodation, but at this stage no firm plans have been made. Full consultation will take place with stakeholders in due course.

In the meantime, the University continues to make ongoing investments in residences to update and modernise them. Around £25m has been invested in refurbishments at Hulme Hall in the past five years. The University is also beginning a £20m programme of refurbishment work in Dalton Ellis and Oak House this summer and has spent £90m on Building Unsworth Park, which opened in 2019.