"This project underlines our commitment to creating sustainable places to live that enhance wellbeing and community"
- Gwyn Pritchard - Watkin Jones
Watkin Jones plc has announced the practical completion of its 260-bed Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme at Gas Lane in Bristol. The development was forward funded by Hines on behalf of the Hines European Property Partners Fund (HEPP) and will be operated by Aparto, HEPP’s full-service student living platform.
The scheme comprises 219 ensuite cluster bedrooms and 41 self-contained studios, alongside high-quality shared amenities including a communal lounge and a landscaped roof terrace. It is located next to the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus and less than half a mile from Bristol Temple Meads station, offering excellent rail connections to Bath, Oxford, and London. Residents will also have easy access to Castle Park, Cabot Circus, The Galleries Shopping Centre, and Bristol’s Harbourside.
Sustainability and design
The Gas Lane development has strong sustainability credentials, achieving BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Platinum certifications. Features include biodiverse roof areas, bird and bat boxes, wildlife-friendly landscaping, and 90 cycle parking spaces to encourage active travel. In line with Watkin Jones’ ESG commitments, at least 80% of non-hazardous and demolition waste from construction has been reused or recycled.
Gwyn Pritchard, managing director – construction at Watkin Jones, said, “We are delighted to have recently marked the practical completion of our Gas Lane scheme, delivering new, high-quality homes for students in one of the UK’s leading university cities. This project underlines our commitment to creating sustainable places to live that enhance wellbeing and community, and we thank Hines, Bristol City Council and our supply chain partners for their collaboration in bringing this scheme to life that was delivered on schedule for the beginning of the 2025/26 academic year.”
