The UK's largest provider of student accommodation, Unite Students is set to build a new 600-bed development at the heart of Bristol's biggest ever regeneration project.

Marsh Mills, which has a total development cost of £75million, is to be constructed adjacent to the University of Bristol's new Temple Quarter campus, close to the city's Temple Meads train station. A lease agreement is in place with the Russell Group university for at least half of the rooms.

The property has planning permission for 596 beds and will open in time for the 2025/26 academic year.

The building's operational energy consumption has been reduced through a 'fabric first' approach. Energy efficiency has been considered during design and build phase through to the manufacturing of materials and their transportation to the site, as well as their installation and use throughout the operational lifecycle of the building. Air source heat pumps and solar panels will also be installed.


Unite Students' Marsh Mills property in Bristol

The development's embodied carbon saving is 7,300 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) over the lifecycle of the building, which exceeds the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) 2030 Climate Challenge baseline. These are voluntary performance targets for operational energy use, water use and embodied carbon.

The development site is in the heart of the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and St Philip's Marsh, one of the UK's largest regeneration projects. The property will also include communal features including study spaces, a roof terrace, a gym and cycle storage.

Tom Brewerton, Group Development Director at Unite Students, said:

"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, providing close proximity to the campus, plus the city's Temple Meads train station.

"This development is further evidence of Unite Students' commitment to delivering 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 2025/6 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."

RG Group has been awarded the build contract and construction work is now underway.