Key Points
- HG Construction awarded £75m contract for student accommodation project in Hackney Wick, East London.
- Development comprises 185 student rooms in a nine-storey building with shared amenities and community café.
- Project commissioned by International Students House (ISH), marking ISH’s first purpose-built student accommodation.
- Mix of 50% cluster and 50% studio units planned, targeting affordable housing for international and UK students.
- Completion expected for the 2026/27 academic year.
- BREEAM ‘Excellent’ sustainability rating targeted through innovative construction methods including off-site bathroom pods.
- Complex logistics due to surrounding red routes and local community engagement.
- Project offers proximity to eight higher education institutions and local amenities like The Oval Cricket Ground and Kennington Park.
- HG Living director Craig McPhail emphasised the partnership with ISH and importance of the project for affordable student housing in London.
What is the significance of HG’s £75m student residence contract in Hackney Wick?
As reported by Construction Mag UK (2025, Sept 29), HG Construction has secured a prominent £75 million contract to deliver a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Hackney Wick, East London. The project, commissioned by International Students House (ISH), represents ISH’s first development explicitly designed for student living, aiming to address the acute need for affordable and high-quality housing for both UK and international students in London.
Craig McPhail, Director of HG Living, stated,
“This landmark partnership with ISH enables us to deliver much-needed affordable student accommodation, enhancing London’s offer to students and supporting their academic success.”
The deal reflects HG Living’s ongoing commitment to sustainable, community-sensitive student housing developments.
What are the key features of the student accommodation development?
According to HG Construction’s official project description (May 2024), the Hackney Wick development consists of 185 student rooms spread across a nine-storey building. Designed with a concrete frame and brick façade, the building includes a community café, study areas, communal spaces, a laundry room, cycle parking, and a rooftop amenity terrace and garden offering views across London.
The accommodation is split evenly: 50% cluster units and 50% studios. Each space caters to diverse student needs, emphasizing affordable, high-quality living. The scheme embraces sustainability, targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and employing off-site prefabricated bathroom pods to reduce construction time and environmental impact. HG’s dedicated community engagement team is actively coordinating with Transport for London (TfL) to manage the logistical challenges imposed by surrounding red routes, ensuring minimal disruption to local residents (HG Construction, 2024).
How does the development support the International Students House and student community?
International Students House, which has provided affordable housing for students in London for 58 years, sees this project as a critical expansion of its offerings. ISH acquired the Hackney Wick site in early 2024, with plans to embrace a supportive community ethos alongside accommodation delivery. The 185-bed scheme is crucial due to the currently high demand for affordable student housing, with a ratio of 16 applicants per available bed at ISH.
As reported by ISH’s update (April 2025), the topping out ceremony occurred in December 2024, marking a major milestone. ISH envisions the new building not just as student housing but as a vibrant hub promoting diversity, multicultural engagement, and offering real community benefits to its residents and neighbours. The scheme is also intended to support local causes through volunteer programmes and community partnerships post-completion, projected for early spring 2026.
What challenges does HG face with the Hackney Wick site and how are they addressing them?
The project’s urban setting presents notable challenges, particularly with logistics. The building site is surrounded by London’s red routes, which restrict vehicle access and deliveries. HG’s community team has worked intensively with TfL and local residents to establish pit lanes and delivery protocols that limit disruption (HG Construction, 2024).
HG’s use of off-site manufactured bathroom pods also mitigates onsite construction times, reducing noise and environmental impact in the dense urban area. This method aligns with HG’s sustainability goals and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ aspirations for the scheme.
What is the broader impact of this development on London’s student accommodation market?
With Hackney Wick’s scheme located within Zone 1 London, providing close access to eight higher education institutions and transport hubs like Vauxhall and The Oval, the project responds to London’s growing student population demands. More than 160,000 full-time students study within a 30-minute commute of the site, accentuating the critical need for affordable accommodation.
Craig McPhail of HG Living highlighted in Construction Enquirer (September 2025) that this development strengthens London’s strategic position in providing future-proof, environmentally conscious student living. It also adds to London’s stock of PBSA, helping to reduce the pressure on the private rental market, known for its affordability challenges and limited supply.
When is the project expected to complete and be operational for students?
According to HG Living and ISH official timelines, the project is scheduled for completion by early spring 2026, ready for students to move in for the 2026/27 academic year (ISH, 2025). The construction began in early 2024 and has progressed through major milestones like the December 2024 topping out ceremony.
HG Construction commits to ongoing transparent communication about construction progress with stakeholders, promising minimal disruption and engagement with local communities throughout the remaining phases.
HG Construction’s securing of the £75 million Hackney Wick student residential development contract marks a significant milestone for affordable student housing in London. Through collaboration with International Students House and innovative sustainable construction, the project will deliver high-quality accommodation to a much-needed student population segment by 2026. The development’s advanced logistical planning, community focus, and environmental targets exemplify modern urban student housing goals in a city facing persistent accommodation pressures.
