Bowmer + Kirkland appointed for £274m Castle Leazes student scheme

Bowmer + Kirkland will be the main contractor for a £274 million Castle Leazes student housing redevelopment in Newcastle after Gateway 2 approval; the project will replace 1960s-era accommodation of about 1,250 beds with 2,009 rooms.

Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver the Castle Leazes student accommodation redevelopment in Newcastle upon Tyne for Unite Students and Newcastle University. Gateway 2 approval has been secured from the Building Safety Regulator for the £274 million scheme. The project will replace 1960s-era accommodation of about 1,250 beds with 2,009 student rooms designed by Norr Architectural. The design places emphasis on communal spaces and the buildings will be arranged across blocks from two to nine storeys. Key details: - Bowmer + Kirkland appointed as main contractor for Unite Students and Newcastle University. - Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator has been secured for the £274 million project. - The redevelopment replaces roughly 1,250 beds with 2,009 rooms, to be delivered in two phases: phase one provides 788 beds for occupation at the start of the 2028/29 academic year, with the remaining rooms due for 2029/30. - Accommodation will be arranged in a series of blocks from two to nine storeys and is designed by Norr Architectural with an emphasis on communal space. - Demolition and enabling works began in June 2024, and Bowmer + Kirkland reports delivering about £9.6 million in social value through local employment, community initiatives and training to date. - Bowmer + Kirkland has an established record with both clients, including Newcastle University projects such as the Stephenson Building, which received National Project of the Year at the RICS National Awards 2025. Summary: The redevelopment will increase student bed capacity and aims to provide more communal space on campus. Phase one is scheduled for occupation at the start of the 2028/29 academic year, with phase two completing the remaining rooms for the 2029/30 intake. Further construction milestones will follow under the approved Gateway 2 plan.