Highlights:
- Gateway 2 approval achieved for 201-bed PBSA scheme on Freestone Road, Bristol
- Work commenced in January 2026, with practical completion expected for start of the 2027/8 academic year
- PBSA scheme is located directly opposite the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus and targets top sustainability ratings
Watkin Jones, the leading UK developer and manager of residential properties for rent, is pleased to announce the Gateway 2 achievement for a 201-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Freestone Road in Bristol’s Temple Quarter.
The scheme is being delivered for a joint venture (“JV”) between UK-focussed real estate fund manager Moorfield Group (“Moorfield”) and Tiger Developments. Host has been appointed to manage the 201-bed scheme upon completion, with Watkin Jones appointed as the development partner.
Achieving this milestone confirms that the project has secured the necessary approvals, funding, and contractual commitments to proceed to the next phase. Work started on site in early January, underscoring Watkin Jones’ robust and efficient project management and ability to advance high-quality, sustainable developments in prime locations.
The Freestone Road scheme, previously announced in September 2025, will transform a brownfield site into an innovatively designed development consisting of 65 ensuite clusters and 136 self-contained studios across four blocks. The project is targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and is on track for completion in time for the beginning of the 2027/8 academic year.
The development is directly opposite the new Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, a £500m development from the University of Bristol and a key part of the wider Temple Quarter regeneration, which will educate 4,600 students, with 650 staff and 350 partners across new business schools, research hubs and innovation centres.
This scheme demonstrates Watkin Jones’ commitment to delivering sustainable developments that diversify revenue streams and drive long-term growth, as well as its agile, efficient approach to project management, with works commencing at the earliest opportunity following the receipt of Gateway 2 approval.
Moorfield has a strong track record in the student housing market, having delivered c.5,000 beds through Domain, its purpose-built student accommodation development and operational platform established in 1997. A further 2,000+ beds are being aggregated through Moorfield’s student houses strategy, which acquires and modernises student HMOs; alongside single-family home, multifamily and co-living strategies as well within the Living sector.
Gwyn Pritchard, Managing Director at Watkin Jones, commented:
“Achieving Gateway 2 approval for our PBSA scheme on Freestone Road demonstrates our expertise in driving projects forward while maintaining our focus on excellence in construction delivery. The development highlights our ability to meet market demand with innovative, high-standard builds that benefit communities and stakeholders alike. Well done to all involved.”
Hugh Canham, Head of Asset Management at Moorfield Group, said:
“We are pleased to have achieved Gateway 2 approval, which has been the result of a great deal of work from the entire project team. Working with experienced delivery partners with a proven track record, such as Watkin Jones and Tiger Developments, is central to our UK Living sector strategy. Our conviction remains that purpose-built high-quality assets will command a scarcity premium amongst both investors and consumers as new supply is constrained by ongoing regulatory and viability challenges.”
John Nesbitt, Managing Director at Tiger Developments said:
“Reaching Gateway 2 approval for the Freestone Road PBSA scheme marks a major step forward for this development and we are pleased to see work underway on site. This scheme will deliver high-quality, sustainable student accommodation in a prime Temple Quarter location, supporting Bristol’s growing student population while contributing positively to the wider regeneration of the area. We look forward to working closely with Watkin Jones and our partners to bring this project to completion for the 2027/28 academic year.”
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Media enquiries:
MHP Group (Watkin Jones)
Reg Hoare, Rachel Farrington, Catherine Chapman
watkinjones@MHPGroup.com
Tel: +44 (0)771 191518
Montford Communications London (Moorfield Group)
Tom Roberts, Matt McLoughlin
Moorfield@montford.London
Notes to Editors
About Watkin Jones
Watkin Jones is the UK's leading developer and manager of residential for rent, with a focus on the build to rent, student accommodation and affordable housing sectors. The Group has strong relationships with institutional investors, and a reputation for successful, on-time-delivery of high-quality developments. Since 1999, Watkin Jones has delivered 48,000 student beds across 143 sites, making it a key player and leader in the UK purpose-built student accommodation market, and is increasingly expanding its operations into the build to rent sector.
In addition, Fresh, the Group's specialist accommodation management business, manages over 21,000 student beds and build to rent apartments on behalf of its institutional clients. Watkin Jones has also been responsible for over 80 residential developments, ranging from starter homes to executive housing and apartments.
The Group's competitive advantage lies in its experienced management team and capital-light business model, which enables it to offer an end-to-end solution for investors, delivered entirely in-house with minimal reliance on third parties, across the entire life cycle of an asset.
Watkin Jones was admitted to trading on AIM in March 2016 with the ticker WJG.L. For additional information please visit www.watkinjonesplc.com
About Tiger
Freestone Road is the second student accommodation development to be brought forward by Tiger in Bristol, following approval in July 2022 for its Avon Street scheme. This will see 447 new bedrooms delivered for the beginning of the 2026/7 academic year in a major boost to the wider regeneration plans for the St Philip’s Marsh area of Bristol.
Tiger Developments Ltd. is a UK-based property development company specialising in the delivery of high-quality residential and mix-use schemes across prime regional markets.
The company focuses on creating well-designed, sustainable developments that respond to local demand and enhance the communities in which they are located. Tiger Developments works across the full development lifecycle, from site acquisition and planning through to construction delivery and asset management.
About Host
Host is a third-party operator in the living and student sector and one of the largest providers of student accommodation in the UK. It launched its first operational co-living asset in Guildford under the Habito brand in 2025.
About Moorfield Group
Moorfield Group (‘Moorfield’) is a long-established UK-focused real estate fund manager with a proven track record of thematic sector selection and enhanced value creation.
Established in 1996 to be the investment, asset and operational partner of choice for international investors looking to invest in UK real estate, Moorfield has invested some £5bn of equity into disrupted mainstream sectors and emerging alternative sectors, enabling the fund manager to deliver outperformance for its global investor base.
For more information, please visit www.moorfield.com