Unite Students to develop student housing in East London

The development, located near Westfield Stratford City, has secured full planning permission and will be one of the largest in Unite Students' portfolio.

The 41-story tower will feature roof terraces, extensive study and community spaces, including a gym. The project has secured support from University College London and includes plans to improve the local infrastructure with a new entrance and exit to Stratford Underground Station.

Targeted for completion in 2028, the Stratford project will also offer approximately 929 m2 of commercial space, including workspace and a retail area. A portion of this space is earmarked for You Press, a social enterprise supporting young people and underrepresented communities.

The property will include 333 affordable beds, including self-contained studio flats and shared flats with five to ten bedrooms. Notably, one in ten bedrooms will be wheelchair accessible. Unite Students is negotiating a long-term agreement with University College London to lease more than half of the beds, supporting their recently established UCL East campus in Stratford.

Tom Brewerton, Group Development director at Unite Students, said: ‘We have a strong relationship with University College London and are delighted to build our presence in Stratford, where our total planned investment is £400 mln (€478 mln). We’re trusted by parents, students and universities to provide high-quality, safe and affordable accommodation and this increase in bed numbers will help free up privately rented homes in the city for families.’

The new property will adhere to Unite Students' sustainable construction framework, aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

Unite Students' total planned investment in Stratford includes the development of 716 new beds and academic space for the London Academy of Excellence at its Hawthorne House property, which is replacing Jubilee House on Farthingale Walk. The building is expected to open in 2026.