Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and residential for rent operator Nido has announced that it is set to embark on a joint venture between Primus Property Group and H.I.G Realty Partners on the design and subsequent operation of two PBSA schemes in Leeds and Lancaster.
Scheduled to open in September 2025, the two schemes will deliver 790 much needed student beds – 388 in Lancaster and 402 Leeds – in the two key university cities.
Leeds and Lancaster continue to experience growth in student numbers year-on-year, coupled with a dire undersupply of accommodation. Alongside increasing numbers of domestic student populations, both cities are seeing rising numbers of international students.
“The UK student accommodation market continues to be hugely undersupplied, with an acute lack of the type of professionally managed and wellbeing-oriented homes that residents demand. Our appointment to work on these two much needed schemes demonstrates H.I.G’s and Primus Property Group’s understanding of the importance of delivering a best in class and differentiated residential experience for students and a recognition of our expertise in helping them deliver it. As well as drawing on our own experience, we regularly survey our Nido residents across Europe to fully understand their needs in different markets, helping inform our approach to design, events and technological integration. We look forward to partnering with two such well respected businesses in HIG and Primus and to bringing these projects to fruition alongside them.”
Darren Gardner, CEO, Nido
Primus and H.I.G, as JV partners, have brought in Nido to leverage its 16-year track record and expertise in student living operations across the UK and Europe to advise on the design and development and undertake the leasing, mobilisation, and property management of the projects.
Nido will adopt its strategy of focusing on the wellbeing and experience of residents, which increasingly demand the integration of technology and biophilic and sustainable design to meet expectations.
Residential amenities at both sites include games rooms, common living areas, private dining rooms, group study spaces, cinema rooms, gyms, yoga studios, and vibrant outdoor social areas.
“Nido is an award-winning European PBSA operator who has raised the bar in student accommodation design, management, and experience, and we’re excited to leverage their track record and brand on our assets in Leeds and Lancaster. Early engagement with Nido in the development of the schemes will help us in integrating technology and sustainable design in a way that delivers a positive impact for students who will be living in our buildings. We trust Nido to create fun, inclusive and wellbeing-oriented spaces and student communities which is a key part of our asset management plan.”
Duncan Melville, Director, Primus Property Group
The appointment follows 24 months of accelerated expansion for Nido in the student accommodation and co-living sectors across Europe, including Portugal, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain, where it recently opened Nido Aravaca in Madrid.
To date, Nido has developed and managed over 20,000 student accommodation and co-living beds in the UK and Europe and consolidated its footprint as one of Iberia’s largest residential for rent operators.
