The Merrion Project

Coming soon

The Merrion Project replaces a poor-quality 1970s office block with specialist accommodation for 660 students. It will be home to 87 postgraduates and 573 undergraduates living in a mix of apartments and studios, plus retail space on the ground floor.

World class architecture

SimpsonHaugh has compiled an impressive portfolio of award-winning projects since being founded in 1987. SimpsonHaugh has the experience of designing and delivering a number of architecturally high-quality, award winning student residences, delivering over 2500 student bedrooms on city centre sites in Manchester, Newcastle and Coventry.

SimpsonHaugh’s portfolio also includes One Blackfriars, Dollar Bay and Chambers Wharf in London.

Building design

The Merrion Project is an elegant building that will provide an attractive focal point in a cluster of taller buildings.

The building is part four, part 10 and part 32 storeys. A four storey podium runs alongside Merrion Street. At the Briggate end the building rises to 32 storeys, at the other end to 10 storeys. At its highest point, the building is 99.8 meters.

Building on success

Despite the current uncertainty we very much believe in Leeds as a place to invest and we have worked hard to submit a planning application which, if approved, would see over £100 million invested into the city.

The Merrion Project will make Merrion Street more attractive, allowing it to integrate better with its surroundings including the Rest Garden.

Merrion Street is renowned as one of Leeds’ top nightspots packed with famous bars and restaurants. A host of cultural attractions including Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and the First Direct Arena are just a short walk away. To find out more click here.

The Merrion Project will deliver

573 undergraduate club rooms and studio apartments
87 postgraduate studio apartments
A central arcade with open lounge, coffee and break-out areas, welcoming residents and the public
Student amenity space throughout the building
Retail units on the ground floor, fronting onto Merrion Street
Enhanced public realm, including new trees to create a greener street scape
A highly sustainable new building designed to the highest BREEAM standards, incorporating renewable energy and high thermal efficiency measures

Travelling to The Merrion Project

The Merrion Project is in a highly accessible location and we are doing everything we can to encourage residents and visitors to access the building in sustainable ways.

No car parking spaces are proposed, apart from two disabled spaces with our plans focussed on making the most of the excellent bus services which use Merrion Street and the good pedestrian links across the city centre.

Our plans will see improvements to both Briggate and Merrion Street, with wider pavements, better cycling infrastructure and a reduction is clutter along the street scene.

Tackling the Climate Emergency

To help tackle Climate Emergency the building is designed to be highly sustainable and substantial new tree planting on the site will further enhance the area.

The public realm will be extended and enhanced with gardens and street trees to create a greener streetscape, with seating areas created off the main pedestrian route. Planting will provide year-round interest and character to the courtyard, mezzanine and roof terraces. Climbers or green walls will further enhance the outlook.

The building has been designed with sustainability front and centre, with energy from waste, solar power and high thermal efficiency among the approaches proposed. Estimated carbon emissions are below the Leeds city Council target and the development is aiming for the highest BREEAM score it can achieve.

Leeds is in-demand for more student accommodation

Leeds has a shortage of specialist student accommodation with around 38,000 university students in the city currently having to find alternative living arrangements. This puts pressure on other houses across the city, which in-turn means that local families sometimes struggle to find the right type of home for them.

The Merrion Project will deliver living space for 660 students right in the heart of the city centre, within walking distance of both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, as well as other higher education institutions.