Student Housing to Launch Lincoln’s First Eco-Forward, Purpose-Built Student Development

What do you get when you mix a historic city, an ambitious student lettings agency, and a vision for greener, smarter living? According to Student Housing, you get something that Lincoln has never seen before — a groundbreaking new student development that’s turning heads well before the first brick is even laid.

Set on the corner of Lincoln High Street , where the Gatehouse Inn once stood, this bold new project promises 127 purpose-built, eco-friendly student flats, delivered by the UK’s highest-rated student lettings agency — and built by former students who’ve lived the very experience they’re now redesigning.

It’s not just another PBSA (purpose-built student accommodation). This, as the team behind it insists, is student living, redefined.

We’ve rented houses ourselves. We’ve dealt with cold bedrooms, terrible Wi-Fi, confusing bills. We’ve had good landlords and bad ones. This development is our answer to all of it — built from scratch with students at the heart,” says Harry Conti, Director of Student Housing and a University of Lincoln alumnus.

A Vision Born from Experience

Founded by former university students, Student Housing has made a name for itself by understanding what many agencies overlook: that student life isn’t just about the course — it’s about feeling at home in a space that works.

From managing hundreds of student homes across Lincoln, Nottingham, and Hull, the agency has gained deep insights into what students really want: privacy when needed, community when desired, and a space that doesn’t fall apart by Christmas.

So when the opportunity came to develop their own flagship building, they didn’t just see a project — they saw a chance to set a new standard.

A lot of student accommodation is built by big developers with no real connection to students or cities. We live here. We work with students every day. We know what makes a place feel like home — and what doesn’t,” says Charlotte Wells, Head of Lettings.

Sustainability That’s Not Just a Buzzword

While many modern developments toss around terms like “eco” and “green,” Student Housing’s approach goes deeper. The new flats will include:

Rooftop solar panels to reduce carbon output
Energy-efficient insulation and heating systems designed to minimise waste
Smart usage tracking so students can monitor their energy use — not to be scolded, but empowered
Secure indoor bike storage to promote car-free living
And materials selected with sustainability and longevity in mind

Being eco-conscious shouldn’t be a trade-off,” says Conti. “This isn’t about forcing students to go green — it’s about giving them a space that’s better by design. Better for the planet, better for their energy bills, better for their mental wellbeing.

Building Belonging

At the core of the development is a commitment to community. Plans include shared social spaces, private studios, and cluster flats that give students control over how they want to live.

But beyond the layout, there’s a deeper motivation — one rooted in the agency’s origins.

“We didn’t want to build a box,” says Wells. “We wanted to build a place where students feel seen. Where they’re not just tenants, but individuals with different needs — international students, postgrads, introverts, night owls. Everyone deserves to find their own rhythm in student life.”

All-Inclusive, All-Inspired

Like all Student Housing properties, the development will offer bills-included pricing, superfast broadband, 24/7 maintenance, and flexible tenancy lengths — but it’s not the “what” that sets it apart. It’s the “why.”

“We include utilities not because it’s trendy — but because students shouldn’t be googling how to set up a gas account two days after moving in,” laughs Conti. “We include Wi-Fi that works in the bathroom. We design kitchens that actually have enough sockets. That’s what being student-led means — it’s in the detail.”

The City’s Future, Built in Brick

The location isn’t incidental. Lincoln’s High Street is a cultural artery — filled with independent shops, cafés, and student life. By reclaiming an underused site and giving it a new identity, Student Housing is also contributing to the regeneration of a key urban corner.

And the city is taking notice.

Local coverage from The Lincolnite and Lincolnshire Live praised the development for its ambition, modern aesthetic, and commitment to sustainability.

What Happens Next?

Construction is underway, with doors expected to open in time for the 2026/27 academic year. Early-bird pre-letting is set to launch in early 2026, with demand expected to be high.

We’ve already had enquiries from students and parents wanting to secure places before we’ve even opened the waiting list,” says Wells. “It’s humbling — and it shows there’s a real appetite for something different.

Students from the University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University will get priority access during the first release phase.