Bowmer + Kirkland confirmed for Castle Leazes rebuild

Having cleared the Gateway 2 process last month, the £274m student accommodation redevelopment for Unite Students and Newcastle University can now progress.

B+K started demolition of the former campus in June 2024 and has worked with Unite and Newcastle University to clear the Gateway 2 hurdles, making their appointment more of a formality than a surprise.

The wider project team has included Norr Architects and Pegasus. Consent was secured last spring.

Set to replace the 1960s-built 1,250-bed Castle Leazes student accommodation, the project will see Unite Students become developer, asset manager, and operator with a 51% ownership stake.

The university will hold 49% and contribute the Castle Leazes site on a 150-year lease.

Castle Leazes’ first phase will include 788 beds, due to be completed for the start of the 2028/29 academic year with phase two (1,221 beds) ready for 2029/30.

To support accommodation requirements during development, Newcastle University has a multi-year nominations agreement with Unite Students for 1,600 beds in the city.

The student village will comprise small clusters of brick-clad buildings of four to nine storeys, intended to create a modern, townhouse environment.

One of the aims of the redevelopment project is to create more communal spaces than the previous development.

North East and Scotland regional director for B+K, Ed Besford, said: “Castle Leazes is a landmark redevelopment project and we are delighted to be supporting our long-standing clients Unite Students and Newcastle University.

“Our team worked hard to support the Gateway 2 process and we are pleased to have been given the green light, marking our third approval from the regulator in six months.”