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The Viridis consortium comprising of GRAHAM (investor and construction), Equitix (infrastructure investor, developer and manager) and Derwent FM (facilities management), has been chosen as the preferred bidder and delivery partner for the redevelopment of The University of Manchester’s Fallowfield Campus, under a Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) model.
The Fallowfield Campus redevelopment stands as one of the largest Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) initiatives currently active in the UK, and marks a significant investment in the future of student living, underscoring the university’s commitment to providing top-tier facilities and a vibrant community environment for its students.
The redevelopment will be a transformative project, providing up to 5,400 student beds by replacing older accommodations with 3,300 modern, high-quality bedrooms. The project will specifically focus on upgrading and replacing the existing Owens Park, Oak House, and Woolton Hall residences, ensuring they meet the increasing demand for high-quality student housing on the popular campus.
Dr Simon Merrywest, Director for the Student Experience, University of Manchester said: “We are delighted to have reached another key milestone in the progression of our plans for the Fallowfield Campus Redevelopment with the selection of Viridis as preferred bidder and our delivery partner. Clearly, there remains a lot of work to do in order to reach financial close on this exciting programme by summer 2025.
“As we have said previously, these plans show our commitment to providing our new and returning students with modern, high-quality accommodation. This much needed update to one of our most popular student campuses will help us to continue to meet the needs of our student population by delivering well-connected, serviced, modern accommodation in a supportive and inclusive environment.
“As we progress, we will continue to work with our Fallowfield neighbours and local neighbourhood managers so that both our students and the surrounding community can benefit as much as possible from the redevelopment project.”
Eamonn Tierney, Managing Director at Derwent FM, commented: “Our selection as part of the Viridis consortium for The University of Manchester’s Fallowfield Campus redevelopment is a very significant milestone for Derwent FM. This is a testament to our expertise and dedication to supporting the student sector in the UK and the significant experience and expertise of the Derwent FM team!”
Achal Bhuwania, Equitix CIO, said: “We are delighted that an Equitix consortium has been selected to support the University of Manchester in its next stage of growth and development, to provide a world-class student living experience. This is further testament to the proven capabilities and commitment to UK greenfield infrastructure as well as supporting British supply chain partners. This win was achieved through our relentless focus on building trust and long-lasting relationships as well as providing best-in-class solutions with a core focus on sustainability and value for money.”
GRAHAM CEO, Andrew Bill added: “GRAHAM is delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Manchester to deliver its vision for the Fallowfield Residences Redevelopment Programme. Together, we will focus on creating an exemplar sustainable campus that will enhance the experience of the University’s next generation of students.”
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