Property

Leicester plans to convert St John’s House office block into 142 student flats with cycle-friendly design

Tuesday, 10 June 2025 10:54AM UTC

A vacant office block in Leicester is set to be transformed into modern student housing offering 142 units, including studios and communal facilities, aiming to tackle housing shortages and promote sustainable urban living.

Plans are underway to transform a vacant office block in Leicester into student accommodation. St John's House, located on South Albion Street, was constructed in 1976 and has primarily served as administrative offices for NHS staff in recent years. The latest proposal, submitted to Leicester City Council, outlines an ambitious plan to convert the building into accommodation for 142 students, with a focus on creating a modern living environment. Among the key features are 114 studio apartments, complemented by communal lounges, study areas, and a gym situated on the ground floor.

The move comes amid a growing trend in cities across the UK to repurpose empty office spaces, a trend that has gained momentum particularly since the pandemic, which has left many workplaces underutilised. By converting office blocks into residential units, local councils aim to address housing shortages while also rejuvenating urban environments. This approach aligns with broader sustainability efforts, as evidenced by the inclusion of 78 designated bicycle parking spaces in the new design. Such initiatives resonate with Leicester's ongoing commitment to promote cycling as a viable mode of transport, encouraging environmentally friendly commuting options among new residents.

Leicester City Council’s planning portal provides detailed information on the proposed conversion, inviting public feedback on the project and its associated amenities. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the impact of increasing student accommodation on local communities, particularly regarding noise and the strain on local services. Despite these apprehensions, proponents argue that well-planned student housing can contribute positively to the local economy, fostering a vibrant community atmosphere.

Further enhancing the project's appeal is the thoughtful architectural design aimed at integrating the building into its surroundings. Considerations are being made regarding the communal spaces intended to foster a sense of community among students, a crucial aspect in residential environments that can sometimes be isolating. The importance of such facilities was highlighted in a recent discussion in The Architects Journal, which stressed how effectively planned communal areas can improve quality of life and student connectivity.

As the planning process unfolds, Leicester’s approach to adapting its urban landscape may serve as a model for other cities grappling with similar issues of vacant commercial properties and housing shortages. With ongoing support from the council and community feedback, the future of St John's House could signal a significant shift in the use of urban spaces, ensuring they serve contemporary needs while enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiWkFVX3lxTFBxY2ZLaVJ2RlFSWWtfaDRCMXZqQng2MVBVUVQyaUF1VTUwb1NOcEd3S3JjWC1lRnd6dWJRbi1WMGJsVm56NDlzWTdtc3VQQjFaRTZpdU9DQXJtZ9IBX0FVX3lxTE5nLXJDQS1SR0FNZUhxN1FoNDNnM1JsQlZWX3hCRjVUTFBhaVlwMEJUbFNRcUpuRFRTbWJUbnYzM3ZGWlBLZk9mSnBGNkY0R2ZLX2UwbkFsX3YtYUkyMFRR?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/empty-leicester-office-block-could-8690198 - An empty office block in Leicester could be transformed into accommodation for more than 140 students. Plans show the project would include 78 cycle parking spaces for residents. St John's House in South Albion Street was built in 1976 and was most recently used as offices for NHS staff. A planning application submitted to Leicester City Council has outlined a proposal to convert the building into flats for 142 students, which includes 114 studio apartments. The plan also includes new communal lounges, study areas and a gym on the ground floor.
https://www.leicester.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-applications/view-planning-applications/ - Leicester City Council's planning portal provides access to view and comment on planning applications. The application for converting St John's House into student flats can be found here, offering detailed information on the proposal, including the number of studio apartments, communal areas, and amenities like cycle parking spaces.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/nhs-organisations/ - The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK comprises various organisations, including NHS trusts and foundation trusts. St John's House in Leicester was previously used as offices for NHS staff, serving as a base for administrative and support functions within the healthcare system.
https://www.cycle-leicester.org.uk/ - Cycle Leicester is an initiative aimed at promoting cycling within the city. The inclusion of 78 cycle parking spaces in the proposed student accommodation aligns with the city's efforts to encourage sustainable transportation options among residents and visitors.
https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/environment-and-sustainability/sustainability/cycling-in-leicester/ - Leicester City Council's cycling strategy focuses on improving facilities and infrastructure to support cyclists. The proposed development's provision of cycle parking spaces reflects the council's commitment to enhancing cycling amenities in the city.
https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/empty-leicester-office-block-could-become-student-flats/10042604.article - An article from The Architects Journal discussing the potential conversion of an empty office block in Leicester into student flats. The piece highlights the architectural and planning considerations involved in such a transformation, including the integration of communal spaces and amenities to create a conducive living environment for students.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative appears to be original, with no prior publications found in the past seven days. The earliest known publication date of similar content is not available. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: No direct quotes are present in the narrative, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, Leicester City Council, which adds credibility. However, the report includes information from other sources, such as The Architects Journal, which may not be as widely recognised.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with known trends in urban development and student accommodation. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, which reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic. The tone and language used are consistent with typical corporate or official language.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents a plausible and original account of Leicester's plan to transform St John's House into student accommodation. While the report is based on a press release from a reputable organisation, it includes information from other sources that may not be as widely recognised. The lack of direct quotes and specific factual anchors reduces the overall confidence in the narrative's authenticity.

Leicester
Student accommodation
Urban redevelopment