Stelling Properties has announced the start of its largest and most ambitious project to date, a landmark student living development at 119 High Street, Southampton.

The £20 million project will deliver 257 student studios, significantly expanding Stelling's previous developments to meet the growing demand from the city's student population. The development is set to be the company’s most sustainable and energy-efficient student accommodation to date, incorporating numerous environmental features.

Located in Southampton's Old Town Quarter, within a conservation area and close to several listed historic buildings, the project has been designed by Stelling's in-house architectural team to complement and enhance the local cityscape. The new facility will replace two outdated 1960s commercial buildings and will consist of three blocks ranging from three to six storeys. The development aims to provide high-quality, modern student accommodation in the heart of the city.

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This latest development follows the success of Stelling’s multi-award-winning Bargate House project, also in Southampton, which regenerated a derelict site on the High Street. Like Bargate House, the new student accommodation at 119 High Street will be operated by leading student living provider, Unilife.

The scheme will offer a mix of one- and two-bed studios of various sizes, including apartment clusters with communal kitchens. The high-specification private living spaces will be complemented by extensive shared amenities designed to encourage social interaction and enhance the student experience. These will include a gym, study areas, lounge spaces, gourmet dining room, karaoke room, meeting hub with a coffee station, individual meeting rooms, games room, and laundry facilities.

Demolition work has already begun at the site, and preparations for archaeological excavations are underway. A concrete podium will be constructed at ground floor level to accommodate the shared social amenities. In total, 263 steel-framed modular units will be manufactured and craned into position, with the entire development expected to be completed by Spring 2026. The first students are set to move in for the start of the 2026 academic year.

As part of its offsite construction innovation, Stelling will also install the building’s façade finishes at its factory, further reducing onsite work and demonstrating its commitment to cutting-edge, efficient construction methods.

The exterior design of the scheme has been carefully considered to blend with the surrounding historic and listed buildings, featuring light stone-effect cladding and red brickwork to complement the area's architectural heritage.