Student accommodation provider Unite Students has revealed its plans to build Burnet Point, a mixed-use property in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

It will combine purpose-built student accommodation, build-to-rent (BTR) housing, and affordable apartments.  

Unite group development director Tom Brewerton said: “This is the company’s first combined development of purpose-built student accommodation, build-to-rent and affordable housing. We look forward to contributing positively to the student and private rental market in Edinburgh to help address the supply-demand imbalance in the city.  

"The development will also contribute to the regeneration of the local area, which has seen significant investment in recent years. We are working closely with the community and later this year will offer a dedicated space for use by a local charity which is aligned with our purpose of creating a Home for Success.” 

With a total development cost of £59m ($72.6m), the city centre-based development will use low-carbon concrete and timber composite materials.  

In addition, the project's life cycle assessment is noted to be 702kg carbon emission equivalent per square metre, the lowest in the group's new-build portfolio. 

Burnet Point will feature 298 student beds and 49 private-rented residential apartments, alongside 17 affordable residential units provided through Hillcrest Homes.  

Unite will also establish a dedicated community space within Burnet Point.  

Over the next few months, the company will work with local charities and community groups to seek partnerships. 

The property is expected to be completed in September next year, in time for the 2025-2026 academic year. 

This development follows Unite's BTR pilot, which began with the acquisition of 180 Stratford in London, UK, last year.  

Last month, the company announced a joint venture (JV) framework agreement with Newcastle University.  

The JV will focus on the development of 2,000 new student beds on the university’s Castle Leazes site.