IQ launches consultation for 1,220 Manchester student beds

The student housing provider will submit revised plans for the redevelopment of the former Chandos House site off Echo Street, following public feedback.

IQ Student Accommodation today launched a consultation for its plans to deliver 1,220 student beds to the city. The company received planning consent for the demolition and replacement of the existing halls to provide 863 co-living beds, including 242 student beds in 2018.

The site is now vacant following the demolition of Chandos House in September 2019.

Architect Sheppard Robson is designing the updated proposals, which would deliver a mixture of one-bed studios, five-bed clusters, and six-bed clusters.

As with the previously consented project, the building would step into Whitworth Street Conservation Area towards Vimto Park with a courtyard. 

Cumming Group is the project manager for the scheme. Turley is consulting on planning, EIA, and strategic communications.

Speaking about the plans, Matthew Loughlin, chief development officer at IQ, said: “Echo Street is an ideal location for student accommodation, helping to address Manchester’s undersupply of student beds, supporting the city’s vision to continue to be a world-class education hub. 

“Our proposed scheme provides a mix of accommodation types that cater for a range of needs and budgets.”

IQ currently operates over 3,600 student beds across 10 Manchester sites, including Fletcher House, Hollingworth House, and Lambert & Fairfield House.

The consultation for Echo Street can be accessed at echostreetmanchester.co.uk.