Plans Submitted for 1,041-Bed Student Accommodation Development at Manchester’s £1.7bn Sister Innovation District

Plans have been submitted for a major purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme that would deliver 1,041 student beds as part of the wider £1.7 billion Sister innovation district in Manchester.

RG Real Estate has lodged a planning application for the redevelopment of the Charles Street Car Park site on the former UMIST campus. The proposal would replace the existing multi-storey car park with a high-density student accommodation scheme featuring buildings ranging from eight to 38 storeys.

The development forms part of the ongoing regeneration of the former UMIST estate, where Bruntwood SciTech and The University of Manchester are delivering the Sister innovation district, one of the largest knowledge-led regeneration projects currently underway in the UK.

Project Overview

The proposed development is located on Plot H within the Sister masterplan and occupies a prominent gateway position at the junction of Charles Street and Sackville Street adjacent to the railway viaduct.

The scheme would provide:

• 1,041 student beds

• Studio apartments

• Cluster flat accommodation

• Active ground floor uses

• More than one acre of public realm

• New pedestrian routes and landscaping

• Improvements to Altrincham Street

The development has been designed to support the wider regeneration ambitions of the Sister district whilst helping address continued demand for student accommodation within Manchester city centre.

The proposals follow a public consultation exercise undertaken during 2025 and are now progressing through Manchester City Council’s planning process under reference PLA-2026-000312.

Strategic Context

The project sits within the wider Sister masterplan, a £1.7 billion innovation-led regeneration initiative being delivered by Bruntwood SciTech and The University of Manchester.

The district is intended to create a globally recognised innovation ecosystem focused on science, technology, research and advanced industries, transforming the former UMIST campus into a new mixed-use neighbourhood incorporating commercial, research, residential and public realm uses.

The student accommodation scheme is expected to play an important supporting role within the district by providing housing capacity close to Manchester’s universities, research facilities and city centre employment hubs.

The site also forms part of a rapidly evolving student accommodation cluster, with several major PBSA schemes currently proposed or under construction across the city centre.

Delivery Team

Developer: RG Real Estate

Landowners: Bruntwood SciTech & The University of Manchester

Architect: Hodder + Partners

Structural Engineer: Roscoe

Building Services Engineer: Buro Happold

Planning Consultant: Deloitte

Landscape Architect: Layer Studio

Heritage Consultant: Civic Heritage

Fire Consultant: Ashton Fire

Transport Consultant: Project Four

Additional Consultants:

• HGCE

• Civic

• Blackbird Consulting

• Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture

• Synergy

• GIA Surveyors

• Tyler Grange

• Counter Context

Planning Reference: PLA-2026-000312

ConstructNet Opportunity Analysis

Whilst the scheme remains subject to planning approval, the submission provides early visibility of a significant future city centre development opportunity.

Should consent be secured, the project is expected to generate substantial procurement activity across demolition, enabling works, construction and fit-out packages.

Potential opportunities may include:

• Demolition and enabling works

• Groundworks and foundations

• RC frame construction

• Structural steel packages

• Facade and cladding systems

• Roofing works

• Mechanical and electrical installations

• Fire protection systems

• Lift installations

• Student accommodation fit-out

• Landscaping and public realm works

• External works packages

• Building materials supply

• Plant hire and logistics services

• Waste management and recycling

The scale of the development, combined with its city centre location adjacent to railway infrastructure, is likely to create specialist requirements around logistics, construction sequencing and stakeholder management.

The project also provides early visibility of future opportunities associated with the wider Sister innovation district, which is expected to generate a substantial pipeline of development activity over the coming years.

Key Contact Information

Developer: RG Real Estate

Planning Reference: PLA-2026-000312

Location:

Charles Street Car Park

Sackville Street

Manchester

Client Team:

Bruntwood SciTech

The University of Manchester

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