Empiric in £8.8m Leicester student digs swoop

Empiric Student Property has bought the freeholds of three student accommodation properties in Leicester, comprising a total of 106 beds, for £8.8m.

Bede Park (completed in 2012) is a conversion of a 1900s two storey industrial unit, with a further two floors added. The property include a total of 59 beds, comprising 49 studios and five two-bedroom apartments, as well as communal facilities including a large gym, cinema room and a communal living area. There is a ground floor retail unit, which is currently let to The Co-operative food store.

Bede Park is located to the west of the Soar River on a busy pedestrian route between De Montfort University, which is a ten minute walk away, and the popular Narborough Road area.

136-138 New Walk (completed in 2013) and 160 New Walk (completed in 2015) are both conversions of three storey Victorian mid-terraces, which have been extended to the rear and are all-studio schemes with 30 beds and 17 beds, respectively. The properties each offer communal facilities, including a gym and cinema room.

Paul Hadaway, chief executive of Empiric Student Property said: “Home to both the University of Leicester and De Montfort University, Leicester had a full-time student population of over 30,000 in 2014/15 (according to the latest available HESA data), of which some 26.5% are international students and almost 20% are postgraduates.

“This acquisition brings the beds owned in Leicester by Empiric to 280 and we are exploring further opportunities in this popular student city.”