Hines acquires 260-bed Bristol PBSA

Watkin Jones has exchanged contracts with Hines for the forward funding of a 260-bed purpose built student accommodation development on Gas Lane in Bristol. Hines is acquiring the scheme on behalf of the Hines European Property Partners Fund. The agreed sale is Watkin Jones’ first transaction with Hines. The scheme, in Bristol’s Temple Quarter, will be completed in time for the start of the 2025/26 academic year. It consists of 219 en suite cluster bedrooms and 41 self-contained studios and will support the new University of Bristol Temple Quarter campus. George Dyer, group investment director of Watkin Jones, said: “Bristol continues to be one of the UK’s leading PBSA markets with two high-performing institutions. “This scheme will play a key part in helping to address the ongoing shortage of student accommodation, and I am pleased that Watkin Jones is bringing forward much-needed modern PBSA, offering strong ESG credentials to this vibrant student city.”