Proposals revealed for 20-storey Preston tower

Developer ASSH Investments has unveiled plans for a 20-storey student apartment block on Great Shaw Street, designed by David Cox Architects.

ASSH has lodged an outline application for the project, named LoftHaus, which includes 300 rooms with a mix of studios and apartments. Alongside student beds the development will also have a private cinema, gym, study rooms, communal lounges, and on-site catering facilities.

The project has a development value of around £15m, and at 72m, LoftHaus will be the city’s second-tallest behind the Church of St Walburge.

The scheme will replace the existing Foresters’ Hall, which currently provides 27 student rooms. The building will be demolished as part of the proposals.

ASSH is backed by Shoyab Musa, a property developer who is co-founder and managing director of Preston-based estate agent Kingswood Sales and Lettings.

Musa said: “This development will provide Preston with a new statement building while also creating jobs and economic growth.

“UCLan is creating a world class campus through its £200m investment and aspires to attract more students from across the globe. Our vision for LoftHaus is to set a new standard in luxury student living in Preston, helping UCLan to continue competing with the best.”

David Cox added: “From the research we’ve conducted of similar universities in other cities, Preston offers among the lowest levels of purpose-built student accommodation per student. At around 300 units, this scheme will go some way to addressing that imbalance.”

PWA is acting as planner for the scheme.

The development will provide 300 student beds