Far East Orchard to start construction on Manchester PBSA development
The approval advances Fesad’s first Manchester development and could expand Far East Orchard’s managed student-housing exposure near two major universities.
Far East Orchard secured Gateway 2 approval to begin constructing a 239-bed Manchester PBSA project scheduled for completion in 2028.
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Far East Orchard has secured regulatory approvals for its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Manchester, UK, allowing it to commence construction on the 239-bed project.
In a July 27 release, the group said it has received Gateway 2 approval under the UK’s Building Safety Act for the development. Located in Plymouth Grove, the project is being undertaken through the Far East UK Student Accommodation Development Fund (Fesad). The fund is managed by Far East Orchard.
The project is expected to be completed in 2028, in time for the start of the 2028/2029 academic year. Upon completion, the development will be operated by Homes for Students, a subsidiary of Far East Orchard. It is within walking distance of the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.
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“As a development undertaken through Fesad, this milestone supports the execution of the fund’s value creation strategy while reinforcing our ability to originate, develop and manage high-quality PBSA assets in attractive university cities across the UK,” said Alan Tang, group CEO of Far East Orchard.
This is the second PBSA development by Fesad, following another project on Osborne Street in Glasgow, UK, which topped out in April. It is also Fesad’s first development in Manchester. Far East Orchard acquired the Plymouth Grove site in April 2025 for GBP10.9 million ($19.2 million).