Contractor chosen for student housing project in Manchester

A contractor has been chosen to deliver two new student housing blocks for Manchester Metropolitan University, which will allow work to get started.

John Graham Construction is the company that has landed this lucrative contract. When the two new blocks have been completed, they will offer a total of 2,302 rooms and have 30 floors each.

The cost of the building work will come to £286 million. These twin blocks will be located within the Cambridge Halls campus, and will form part of a wider redevelopment of it. They will replace the housing that is currently at the site, which is in the process of being knocked down.

The university is collaborating with Unite Students on the project, which will feature both studio and cluster apartments. The ground floor of both blocks will be set aside for commercial outlets, and there will be spaces for community use both inside and outside.

Cartwright Pickard is the architecture firm that designed the blocks, and it has prioritised sustainability. The designs incorporate low-energy ventilation systems for heat recovery, photovoltaic panels and heat pumps. It is hoped that an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating can be secured.

Stephen Van den Hoek from John Graham Construction told the Construction Index that:

“We are proud to have been appointed to work with Manchester Metropolitan University and Unite Students to deliver high-quality, sustainable accommodation that supports student wellbeing and long-term performance.”

Construction work is expected to begin in late 2026.

At Ainsley Signs, we make construction signage in Manchester for local building projects like this one. Reach out to us now for more information.