Vita to deliver 750 more student beds at First Street

Proposals for the developer’s third PBSA scheme within the Manchester neighbourhood are being worked up on one of the few remaining vacant plots.

Vita Group has launched a consultation on plans for a 750-bed PBSA scheme at First Street, located on plot 9b on the corner of Medlock Street and Hulme Street.

Have your say – vitagroup.com/consultations/9bfirststreet/

Vita completed its inaugural First Street student scheme a decade ago and is currently building House of Social, a 14-storey building comprising 576 student beds.

Plans to complete a hat-trick of student developments would take the number of Vita PBSA beds at First Street to 1,600.

The building would be located immediately south of the GPA’s 130,000 sq ft civil service hub, which is under construction, and has been designed by Tim Groom Architects.

Max Bielby, Vita Group’s chief operating officer, said: “We’re excited by the prospect of expanding our Vita Student offering at First Street and look forward to meeting local residents and the wider city to talk through our proposal.

We understand the growing demand for student accommodation in this area of the city and the appeal it has to both students at the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.”

The area around First Street is becoming something of a hub for students. There is also a PBSA element in Downing’s Square Gardens, while Greystar recently acquired a site earmarked for a 37-storey student tower off Medlock Street.

On the other side of First Street, Manner is hopeful of delivering 600 student beds where Hotspur Press currently stands, having secured planning approval earlier this year.