Pickard Properties has completed a student accommodation development in its 50-year history, Carlton Hill.

The 604-bed, purpose-built apartment development, close to the city centre and both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, has been completed to welcome students for the 2023-24 academic year, which begins later this month.

Pickard Properties will retain ownership of Carlton Hill and has reached an agreement with student charity and operator Unipol, which will lease and manage the site for the University of Leeds.

One of the most sustainable new student schemes in the city, having secured an EPC A rating, Carlton Hill aims to reduce carbon emissions, both in terms of the building’s construction and operation, together with taking advantage of its location.

It is an all-electric development that is future-proofed to benefit from the continued growth of renewable energy supplies. In addition, from the outset, almost half of its power requirements will be provided by low or zero-carbon technologies, including from a large solar PV array and Air Source Heat Pumps.

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Carlton Hill supports Leeds City Council's ’20-minute neighbourhood initiative. It has been designed to have no car parking for residents to encourage the use of sustainable local transport and has extensive pedestrian access and routes to the city centre and the nearby universities.

The development has also been designed to encourage student well-being. Carlton Hill offers high-quality living and social spaces for residents with larger than standard bedrooms and living spaces, a well-equipped gym, and fully landscaped 'sky gardens' as well as a roof terrace to allow for social activities, fresh air, and relaxation.

Carlton Hill replaces a 239-bed student accommodation block, which was also owned by Pickard Properties and was demolished to make way for this new contemporary scheme.

It was designed by Halliday Clark Architects, based in Ilkley, and built by Leeds-based GMI Construction. The scheme was project managed by Fox Lloyd Jones with planning consultancy advice provided by Quod, which are both based in Leeds City Centre.

The developer has a long-standing involvement in student accommodation in the city and has worked closely with Unipol Student Homes, which will lease the building for exclusive use by students attending the University of Leeds.

Carlton Hill is also representative of the high-quality Leeds schemes in its portfolio, which are helping to transform the city’s skyline and form part of Pickard Properties’ wider construction and regeneration activities across the North of England.

Miles Pickard, Director of Pickard Properties, said: "Carlton Hill sets the standard for modern student accommodation that is appealing to tenants, not only because of its location and focus on mental and physical well-being but also because it’s a green and sustainable building.

"We are exceptionally proud that it has secured the highest EPC rating for a commercial/residential building, which is a testament to the efforts of the development team, from our project managers and architects, through to our construction partner and its predominantly local supply chain."