Student accommodation provider true student has secured planning permission to convert the former Freeman, Hardy and Willis building on Rutland Street, Leicester, into a 472-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development.
Located near the city centre and serving students from De Montfort University and the University of Leicester, the project will retain historic site elements, which dates back to 1876. The building, previously a footwear retailer’s headquarters and later the International Hotel, has been vacant for over a decade.
This marks true student’s second East Midlands development, alongside its Nottingham project. The Leicester site will feature 1,758 sqm of social space, including a 465 sqm gym, yoga and boxing areas, co-working spaces, private study zones, a cinema, and a dedicated event space. A cycle hub with 238 spaces will support Leicester’s cycling infrastructure.
Sustainability is a key focus, with the retrofit approach reducing carbon emissions by preserving much of the existing structure. The development will also include sustainable urban drainage systems and provisions for solar panels.
true student’s “true life” programme, designed to foster student wellbeing and community engagement, will be a core feature of the new accommodation, offering events and workshops aimed at personal and professional development. The first students are expected to move in by summer.
