Heavy demand for landmark student accommodation scheme
A new £16m student accommodation scheme off Millennium Square, Leeds, now has every apartment occupied and two businesses expanding into the development’s commercial units.
Leeds-based property company, YPP, which created the Oasis Residence on Cookridge Street, has now opened an office on the ground floor of the development, which was designed by Brewster Bye Architects.
The 1,400 sq ft office houses YPP’s lettings team and fronts onto Cookridge Street. In addition, a Chinese supermarket is planning to open a 2,300 sq ft store in the development’s ground floor retail space.
The part six and part eight-storey building consists of 96 self-contained studio apartments that have all been fully occupied since they completed last year.
In addition to high quality, fully furnished living accommodation, students also benefit from a wide range of communal facilities including a lounge, fitness suite, cinema room and study areas.
Omar Al-Nujaifi, from YPP, said: “Oasis Residence is a spectacular development, offering exceptional living accommodation with superb on-site facilities.
“It’s also in a highly sought-after location, just a short walk from both universities and with a huge range of shops, restaurants and bars on its doorstep.
“As a result, we have experienced very high demand from students, who were able to move in last year and the whole development is now fully occupied until next summer. Plus, the feedback we’ve received from students about the living accommodation and amenities has all been very positive.
“The development’s ground floor space is also the ideal location for our second Leeds office, which complements our existing site on Blenheim Terrace.
“The new office provides a contemporary and welcoming work environment, as well as giving us an easily accessible, and highly prominent shop front.
“It’s immediately proving popular with both our team and clients alike and is the ideal location to showcase our portfolio of city centre rental properties.”
Chris Austin, managing director at Brewster Bye Architects, said: “This development has created a stunning, landmark building where a derelict bar once stood.
“It now offers high quality living accommodation and great views which have immediately made it a popular place to live.
“Crucially, it’s also a welcome addition to Cookridge Street and sits comfortably within the existing streetscape and next to the neighbouring O2 Academy’s beautiful and historic façade.”
The site was formerly home to Australian themed bar chain Walkabout, which closed in 2013.
The Broadley Group was principal contractor on the project, with Adept Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers providing structural engineering services and NOVO handling the mechanical and electrical engineering design.
YPP was formed in Leeds in 2010 with the aim of providing outstanding accommodation to the city’s student and professional populations, as well as the private rental sector.
The company’s property portfolio has grown rapidly and it is now establishing footholds in other northern cities such as Liverpool, Sheffield and Manchester.
