A major redevelopment plan could transform part of Leeds’ Merrion Centre into a 37-storey student accommodation tower, targeting demand from the city’s growing university population. Town Centre Securities is advancing the project, centred on the existing Wade House structure, and it is currently under public consultation ahead of a planning application to Leeds City Council.
The revised scheme proposes 1,039 student beds, split between 612 cluster rooms and 427 studio apartments. Amenities include study areas, a gym, a karaoke room, and communal social spaces.
The development is within walking distance of the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, and Leeds Arts University. According to a Student Needs Assessment, Leeds experienced a 24% increase in student numbers between 2012 and 2022. The city currently has over 25,000 purpose-built student beds, most of which are en-suite units.
The developers argue the project will bring economic benefits to central Leeds by increasing student spending at local businesses. The proposal is part of a broader trend of integrating large-scale student housing into urban commercial areas to support city centre regeneration and meet sustained accommodation demand from higher education institutions.
