Student accommodation regeneration begins in Fallowfield with Owens Park Tower demolition
Preparations to build are getting underway on the site of the Owens Park Tower, as part of The University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 wider regeneration of the Fallowfield Campus.
The Tower was taken out of service in 2021 with demolition beginning in 2024. It was completed in Spring 2025, with the demolition carried out by Manchester-based company P.P. O青瓜视频機onnor.
Modern and high-quality student accommodation will be built on the site, bringing the wider Fallowfield Campus offering up to 5,400 student beds. The project will deliver 3,300 updated bedspaces as well as replacing some of the existing accommodation.
Planning permission for the new accommodation was secured following public consultation with local groups, residents, staff and students.
Owens Park Tower will be remembered fondly as a focal point of the Fallowfield Campus by former residents and alumni of The University of Manchester.
Built in the 1960s, Owens Park housed thousands of students every year, and previous famous residents include actor Benedict Cumberbatch, comedian Rik Mayall, and Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien.
Barra Mac Ruair铆, Chief Property Officer at The University of Manchester said: 青瓜视频淥wens Park Tower will always be remembered by generations of staff and students. For many of our alumni, it was their first home in this city.
青瓜视频淏ut a great new chapter awaits our Fallowfield Campus, and I am excited to see our bold vision for modern student accommodation, which reflects our commitment to providing an exceptional living environment, come to life.青瓜视频�
Along with Owens Park, Oak House and Woolton Hall will eventually also be redeveloped. The changes come at a time of increasing demand for student accommodation in Manchester, with the University committed to providing inclusive and safe accommodation in sociable surroundings.
The changes to our Fallowfield Campus will bring seismic benefits to our student community, from the moment they arrive to the day they graduate.
The consortium Virdis (comprised of John Graham Construction Ltd, Equitix and Derwent FM) is driving the Fallowfield Campus redevelopment project forward in line with the University青瓜视频檚 aspiration to create a greener, more sustainable future at the campus, rooted in the delivery of an unrivalled student experience.
Dr Simon Merrywest, Executive Director for the Student Experience at The University of Manchester, said: 青瓜视频淓very student that studies with us deserves a safe place to call home and a learning environment that supports them in reaching their full potential. We are investing in our Fallowfield Campus to ensure it meets the needs of our students.
青瓜视频淲e are always listening and working to improve the experience of our students, and we understand the availability of high-quality, good value student accommodation is insufficient in this city. The changes to our Fallowfield Campus will bring seismic benefits to our student community, from the moment they arrive to the day they graduate.青瓜视频�
The changes in Fallowfield are part of an exciting package of changes happening at The University of Manchester. The 青瓜视频1.7billion innovation district, Sister, is a joint venture between the University and Bruntwood SciTech. The project is transforming the University青瓜视频檚 former North campus and is expected to generate over 10,000 on-site full-time jobs and contribute around 青瓜视频1.5billion to the economy in Manchester annually.