Watkin Jones expands Swansea PBSA with £35m scheme

Watkin Jones has acquired a former HMRC office in Swansea for a £35m student accommodation scheme. The developer aims to provide around 350 beds on the city centre site next to Swansea railway station, which previously housed the Valuation Office Agency. The development will include studios and cluster accommodation, alongside communal and amenity facilities. It will be Watkin Jones’ second student scheme in the city, following the recent completion of a 967-bed scheme. Alex Pease, chief investment officer at Watkin Jones, said: “Swansea is a fantastic place to be a student and the recent growth in student numbers reflects the continued success of the city’s universities. “We continue to see very strong demand for high-quality student homes across the UK… This year has seen the largest ever proportion of school leavers applying to university, a trend that is projected to continue alongside increased international demand.” To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette Images by Watkin Jones