Plans unveiled for Yorkshire’s tallest student accommodation tower in Leeds

The 43-storey development in Merrion Way in Leeds city centre, will be a purpose-built student accommodation scheme by Olympian Homes, featuring 720 beds across a mix of studio apartments and shared cluster flats.

Located close to the First Direct Arena, the proposed development will replace an office block, Arena Point, and will sit between existing tall buildings on Merrion Way including 36-storey Altus House, another student accommodation scheme being delivered by Olympian Homes.

Students living in the tower will have a choice of studio apartments, which include a kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom, and cluster flats that will include a series of individual study bedrooms alongside a shared kitchen, living and dining spaces.

The development will also feature a number of communal facilities on the ground and first floor including a reception and a common room. Other facilities proposed include a fitness room, cinema, study spaces, launderette, a winter garden and a roof terrace.

Ahead of submitting a planning application to Leeds City Council, the local community have the opportunity to review and comment on the proposals. Due to the pandemic, the consultation is taking place online and can be found at www.dppuktld.com/arenapoint.

Michelle Davies, director in the Leeds office of DPP Planning, which is carrying out the consultation, said: “This proposed development will support the continued regeneration of this part of Leeds, which has undergone significant change over the last 10 years to become a popular residential and leisure destination.

"It will transform an underutilised office block, which is only 40 per cent occupied, into one of Yorkshire’s tallest buildings offering high quality apartments that will play a part in alleviating the city’s student accommodation challenges.”

She added: “There is a real need for more purpose-built student accommodation in Leeds and this development will enhance the city’s provision. Olympian Homes’ market research indicates that even if all of the approved schemes in the city were built there would still only be one bed for every two students within the city by the 2022/23 academic year.

“Our client is therefore keen to continue to transform Merrion Way and deliver a high-quality, purpose-built development that will provide students with a contemporary living setting and amenities that will support their education while they are in the city.”