Nido on board for Leylands Road

Joint venture partners Primus Property and HIG Realty Partners have drafted in the student living specialist to operate the 402-bed Leeds development.

A £68m funding deal with Maslow Capital to back the delivery of the Leeds project and another scheme in Lancaster was agreed last month.

Scheduled to open in September 2025, the two schemes are predicated on growing student numbers, particularly overseas students, in both cities.

Tim Groom Architects has designed both schemes.

Nido has built up a 16-year track record in student living operations across the UK and Europe, which will be leveraged in the final design and development stages. Nido will also undertake the leasing, mobilisation and property management of the projects.

The business said it will focus on the wellbeing and experience of residents, with tech and biophilic design key points in meeting resident expectations.

Both schemes will also offer amenities including games rooms, common living areas, private dining rooms, group study spaces, cinema rooms, gyms, yoga studios, and vibrant outdoor social areas.

To date, Nido has developed and managed more than 20,000 student accommodation and co-living beds in the UK and Europe.

Chief executive Darren Gardner said: “The UK student accommodation market continues to be hugely undersupplied, with an acute lack of the type of professionally managed and wellbeing-oriented homes that residents demand.

“Our appointment to work on these two much needed schemes demonstrates HIG’s and Primus Property Group’s understanding of the importance of delivering a best in class and differentiated residential experience for students and a recognition of our expertise in helping them deliver it.

“As well as drawing on our own experience, we regularly survey our Nido residents across Europe to fully understand their needs in different markets, helping inform our approach to design, events and technological integration. We look forward to partnering with two such well respected businesses in HIG and Primus and to bringing these projects to fruition alongside them.”

Duncan Melville, director at Primus Property Group, said: “Nido is an award-winning European PBSA operator who has raised the bar in student accommodation design, management and experience, and we’re excited to leverage their track record and brand on our assets in Leeds and Lancaster.

“Early engagement with Nido in the development of the schemes will help us in integrating technology and sustainable design in a way that delivers a positive impact for students who will be living in our buildings.

“We trust Nido to create fun, inclusive and wellbeing-oriented spaces and student communities which is a key part of our asset management plan.”