GMI appointed to deliver £40m PBSA scheme in Manchester
Student scheme in Ardwick with 172 beds moves forward with 2027/28 completion target.
22 April 2026
GMI Construction Group has been appointed as principal contractor to deliver a £40 million purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Ardwick, Manchester.
The scheme, led by Tiger Developments, will provide 172 student bedrooms across a mix of studio and cluster apartments, targeting completion for the 2027/28 academic year.
Located on Carmoor Road, the scheme sits within walking distance of the University of Manchester and the Oxford Road Corridor, one of the UK’s largest concentrations of academic, research and healthcare institutions.
Once complete, the scheme will be operated by Host Student Housing, Tiger Developments’ in-house platform and one of the UK’s larger PBSA providers.
Designed by Lechler Hayes Architects, the project comprises two interconnected buildings ranging from three to six storeys. The development will include shared amenities, landscaped external areas and public realm improvements, contributing to the ongoing regeneration of the Ardwick area.
Sustainability targets include BREEAM Excellent and an EPC A rating, supported by energy-efficient design measures and biodiversity enhancements. The scheme will also incorporate an affordability component, with approximately 15% of rooms offered at discounted market rent.
Funding for the project is being provided by Tiger Developments alongside Hampshire Trust Bank, reflecting continued lender appetite for well-located PBSA schemes in core university markets.
The project forms part of Tiger Developments’ wider expansion strategy across major UK student cities, with additional schemes currently under construction in Bristol.
For GMI Construction Group, the appointment adds to its existing PBSA pipeline in Manchester, where it is already delivering a separate 261-bed scheme at Moss Lane East, highlighting sustained delivery activity in the city’s student accommodation sector.
