European student and residential accommodation operating firm Nido has agreed to partner with a joint venture between Primus Property Group and HIG Realty Partners on two new schemes in Leeds and Lancaster.
Scheduled to open in September 2025, the two purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) projects will deliver 790 student beds, 388 in Lancaster and 402 in Leeds,
As well as increasing domestic student populations, both cities are seeing rising numbers of international students, Nido said.
Nido will advise on the design and development and undertake the leasing, mobilisation and property management of the projects. The operator has a track record of focusing on the wellbeing and experience of residents, which increasingly demand the integration of technology, as well as aspects such as biophilic and sustainable design.
Both schemes will also offer a range of amenities including games rooms, common living areas, private dining rooms, group study spaces, cinema rooms, gyms, yoga studios, and vibrant outdoor social areas.
The appointment follows 24 months of expansion for Nido in the student accommodation and coliving sectors across Europe, including Portugal, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain, where it recently opened Nido Aravaca in Madrid.
In Demark, Nido operates Nido Bryggen in partnership with investor Nuveen. Nido Bryggen is a 443-bed student accommodation scheme featuring biophilic design throughout, study nooks, gaming and cinema rooms.
To date, Nido has developed and managed over 20,000 student accommodation and coliving beds in the UK and Europe and consolidated its footprint as one of Iberia’s largest residential for rent operators.
Darren Gardner, CEO at Nido, said: '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.'
Duncan Melville, director at Primus Property Group, said: '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.'
