A new 18-storey student accommodation block is set to transform Cardiff’s city centre, after a significant £8.7 million deal was finalised for the redevelopment of the Longcross Court site. The ambitious plans, announced this week, will see the existing, disused office building make way for a modern purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme, reflecting ongoing shifts in Cardiff’s urban landscape.
The project is being undertaken by Fusion Group, a specialist developer of student housing, after acquiring Longcross Court from Picton Property Income. Their scheme will provide 706 student bedrooms, alongside 7,500 square feet of communal amenities designed to cater to residents’ lifestyle and wellbeing. Facilities will include a wellbeing studio, a juice bar, a fitness suite, and landscaped outdoor spaces, catering to both the academic and personal needs of students.
Located prominently at the junction of Newport Road and City Road, the Longcross development received planning permission for a change of use in September of last year. The project’s approval follows mounting demand for quality accommodation in Cardiff, which has a fast-growing student population thanks to its major universities and colleges. Once complete, the development promises to become a focal point in the city’s continuing evolution.
An outstanding aspect of the proposal is Fusion Group’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The company has set its sights on achieving a BREEAM Outstanding rating for the new student block—the most prestigious accolade in the UK for sustainable building design and operation. To this end, the scheme will incorporate renewable energy solutions, such as air source heat pumps and rooftop solar panels, helping to reduce its overall ecological footprint.
Brodie Berman, senior acquisitions associate at Fusion Group, emphasised the importance of modern standards in student accommodation. He noted: “Cardiff is a vibrant and rapidly developing city. Our intention is to set a new benchmark for student living by combining excellent design, sustainability, and wellbeing facilities. Attaining BREEAM Outstanding status is an important target for us and underlines Fusion’s commitment to environmentally responsible development. We’re excited that Longcross Court will help shape a brighter, greener future for both its inhabitants and the wider community.”
The sale of the Longcross site fits into a broader strategy for Picton Property Income, which has been streamlining its portfolio to improve occupancy levels and invest in existing properties. Michael Morris, Picton’s chief executive, stated: “The disposal of Longcross Court marks the third office building we have sold after securing planning permission for change of use. These moves not only support our portfolio strategy, but also allow us to allocate capital effectively, reduce debt, and further our share buyback programme.”
The transition from traditional office space to residential uses highlights an ongoing “occupational realignment” within Cardiff’s property sector. Gareth Watts, from the property consultancy Knight Frank, which advised on the deal, commented: “We’re witnessing a clear polarisation in Cardiff’s commercial property market. New or refurbished schemes attract strong interest, while older office blocks, many of which require significant investment, are ripe for imaginative repurposing, often into much-needed accommodation.”
John James, representing Fletcher Morgan, which also advised on the sale, pointed out the broader changes facing the city since the coronavirus pandemic. He observed: “Demand for older office buildings on the city’s fringes has waned considerably. By converting Longcross Court into student housing, we’re not only revitalising this section of City Road and Newport Road, but also delivering tangible economic benefits to the area.”
Although Picton no longer owns the Longcross building itself, the company has retained an adjacent plot, which currently houses a small industrial unit and an open yard serving as a car park. This site may offer further redevelopment potential in the years to come, as Cardiff’s transformation continues apace.
The announcement of this major scheme reflects both the ongoing adaptation of the city’s built environment and growing confidence in Cardiff as a thriving hub for students, modern living, and sustainable urban renewal.