Plans revealed to turn former HMRC office into 166-bed student scheme

Plans to turn a former HMRC office into 166 student bedrooms have been submitted to Derby City Council.

Property firm Staton Young, which bought Northgate House on Agard Street in December, is behind the scheme. The firm hopes to convert the five-storey building, which was a tax office for 30 years before closing, in time for the 2022 acacdemic year.

Maber Architects in Derby is designing the new development, which will see the 45,000 sq ft building include a mixture of single and studio flats, along with a launderette and gym.

Marc Brough, managing director of Staton Young, said:“Whilst our portfolio remains heavily centred on high quality serviced office space, we have been keen to move into the student accommodation sector for some time, and this deal, and our subsequent plans reemphasises our deep commitment to Derby.

“We view Agard Street as a key university street, and we are very excited about the University of Derby’s proposed plans for developing their sites further south on Agard Street, and we see our scheme as wholly complementary, serving to meet the needs of growing numbers of students attracted to Derby.”