Empiric progresses plans for 900-bed Victoria Point overhaul 

Proposals to add 340 rooms at the Hathersage Road student complex in Manchester are in the works. 

Empiric Student Property, which acquired Victoria Point site from MCR Property Group for just shy of £30m in 2016, has assembled a project team to work up plans for the scheme. 

Speaking after the acquisition, Paul Hadaway, then chief executive of Empiric Student Property, said the low-density site “provides the opportunity for further development, if appropriate, including communal facilities to create a purpose-built student hub”. 

Located next to Victoria Baths, the six existing buildings – which rise to four storeys and feature 566 rooms – are in “dire need of repair, due to water damage and technically deficient cladding”, according to a website outlining the proposals. 

Empiric has brought together consultants including Turley, 5plus, Quartz, Bell Phillips, Atelier Ten, Keeble Brown, and Heyne Tillett Steel to lead on the redevelopment.   

“ESP’s vision is to increase the amount of student housing by redeveloping existing buildings on the site,” the website states. 

“In doing so, we hope to ensure that the buildings also have a better relationship with the nearby Victoria Baths, creating a space that can be enjoyed by the local community.” 

A planning application for the project is expected this year. 

Wesley Swanepoel, development manager at ESP, said: “We have identified Victoria Point as one of our key assets within the portfolio and are excited for the opportunity to intensify our position in Manchester’s continuing success as a centre of excellence for learning and innovation.”