Plans for university student flats in centre of Southampton

The site at 69-81 Commercial Road stands empty and unused as an office building, previously run by wealth management company Quilter.

Developers Moda Living want to inject new life into the area by building the student accommodation.

Only a stone’s throw away from the Mayflower Theatre, plans for the building include 700 rooms: 350 studio flats and the rest ‘cluster flats’, which comprise of five to seven rooms.

The studio flats would contain a larger bed, study space, wardrobe and an en-suite.

They would also include a kitchenette to enable the student to cook within their room.

The plans for Commercial Road, Southampton (Image: Moda)

Developers said: “These spaces help foster a sense of community and give the students additional facilities to supplement the rooms they rent and allow them to transition from living at home.”

The building would also boast a games area, movie/gaming room, gym, private and open plan study spaces, meeting rooms, and a coffee point.

Outside, developers want to build a wildflower garden and courtyard, closing and replacing the existing car park.

Cycle use will be encouraged with extensive cycle storage available.

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According to the information in the consultation, the existing office “does not reflect the agile, flexible floor space current tenants are seeking in city centre locations”.

Developers said: “The site is occupied by an out-of-date office space and parking.

“Redevelopment provides a unique opportunity to provide a high-quality purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) community in a highly sustainable city centre location to meet demand.

“Southampton has two well renowned universities, the University of Southampton and Solent University.

“One in five people living in the city is a student, and students significantly contribute to the economy and character of the city.”

The demand coincides with Southampton City Council taking steps to reduce the number of houses of multiple occupation, known as HMO’s, according to Moda.

“The council also supports student accommodation in the city centre”, they added.

Developers also said the city’s student property market “cannot keep pace” with growing demand, and if approved will provide the much-needed housing in the area.

The plans are now open for public consultation, with people invited to submit comments by September 3 ahead of an official application being submitted to Southampton City Council.

Email info@69-81commercialroad.co.uk to submit a comment.