Pillars developers announce that their latest 425-unit purpose-built student accommodation project – Urban Hub – in Preston is expanding its accommodation offering to over 26,000 local key workers – almost doubling its target audience from the current population of 30,000 students and teachers.
The Urban Hub scheme is in the heart of Preston – just minutes’ walk from UCLAN’s University, Royal Preston Hospital and other local and national government departments, who have been instrumental over the Covid-19 pandemic.
The optimal location, a wide range of high-quality self-catering studios and upscale on-site amenities all contributed to Preston Council’s additional key worker status favourable approval. Apart from all NHS staff, Urban Hub will offer accommodation to anyone with the official key workers’ status – including but not limited to staff from private hospitals, council and social workers, police, fire officers, prison officers and teachers.
“With ever increasing housing demand and steadily rising housing prices in central Preston, key workers and students often have to seek more affordable housing solutions, while relying on public transport connections to commute to / from work or university. Especially in the case of key workers, with their non-standard work schedules, travel times often do not coincide, and travel can become a nuisance.
“To maximise the potential of the project, we looked for solutions that would add value to the PBSA scene in Preston as well as bring positive benefits to the local community. Our goal is to create a carefully balanced lifestyle development, with a mix of students and key workers and create an opportunity to improve work-life balance for both groups.”
A Pillars spokesperson
The £35m Urban Hub scheme includes 425 fully furnished, self-contained studio apartments. Each apartment has a private en-suite bathroom and kitchenette. There are also a wide range of amenities at Urban Hub, including an exclusive private gym / fitness studio, private cinema, games room, a rooftop café and terrace with panoramic views of Preston, a library and laundry facilities.
“With growing demand for the affordable quality accommodation in Preston, we estimate for the scheme to be fully occupied from the first year onwards. Recent key worker status approval provides additional reassurances to our investors that all aspects of their investment have been fully and intelligently considered. Additionally, we look forward to work in partnership with the council and major organisations throughout the city to provide high quality and secure accommodation for this sector.”
A Pillars spokesperson
