A £150 million student accommodation development at 35 Albert Road in Bristol has secured both planning permission and Gateway 2 approval under the Building Safety Act, allowing construction to move forward toward completion for the 2026/27 academic year. The scheme will deliver 530 student beds in a 22‑storey tower, developed by Cubex Land and Alara Investments as part of broader regeneration and flood‑defence initiatives along the River Avon.

Gateway 2 is a statutory approval stage introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022 for higher‑risk buildings, reviewing detailed fire and structural safety designs before full construction can begin. Achieving Gateway 2 indicates that regulators are satisfied with the building control submissions, unlocking main construction while extending typical development timelines.

The development, designed by Corstorphine & Wright, will comprise around 530 beds in a 22‑storey tower featuring a rooftop amenity terrace and a mix of studio and cluster flats. The site is a short walk from the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, which will accommodate thousands of incoming students from 2026 onward.

The scheme targets high sustainability standards as an eco‑PBSA (purpose‑built student accommodation) project. It incorporates flood-defence measures aligned with the Bristol Avon Flood Strategy and promotes low‑carbon living through car-free designs, secure cycle parking, public realm improvements, and active-travel connections to the river walkway and St Philip’s footbridge.

The £150 million investment is expected to generate construction employment and provide affordable workspace on lower floors, including incubator units for local businesses. The additional student beds aim to ease pressure on Bristol’s housing market by relocating students from HMOs into dedicated accommodation, supporting regeneration in St Philip’s Marsh and the wider Temple Quarter area.