Unite is eyeing a return to the capital for the first time in five years, submitting plans to Tower Hamlets for a major student housing scheme on the City Fringe between Aldgate and Aldgate East stations, E1.
The proposals are for a 24-storey tower providing 1,052 bedrooms, along with offices, shops and incubator space.
It would be the student housing specialist’s first scheme since 2013, when it departed the capital owing to its soaring land prices. Between 2009 and 2013 more than 90% of Unite’s spending was in London.
The scheme would become London’s largest purpose-built student accommodation building to date, surpassing the recently submitted scheme next to London Bridge and the Shard from Greystar, with 1,028 beds and 45 storeys.
Unite is the UK’s largest manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation, providing more than 50,000 beds across more than 140 properties. It aims to add another 8,000 beds over the next three years.
If approved, the scheme is expected to complete for the 2021-22 academic year.
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