The Rubik Southampton is a premier student accommodation development. It is located at 10-12 Pound Tree Road. This landmark 13-storey project replaces the former Firehouse site. Furthermore, the striking design provides 139 high-specification studios with views over Palmerston Park.
The Vision
Our team designed the building to meet modern urban demands. Specifically, the tiered 8–13 storey structure maximizes natural light for residents. These windows offer panoramic views across the Solent. Additionally, The Rubik Southampton development balances high-density living with resident wellbeing. Like our other projects, it offers extensive communal areas and private study hubs.
Strategic Location
The building sits at a primary transport gateway. Because of this, residents benefit from immediate access to the main UniLink bus interchange. Travel across the city is therefore seamless.
Academic Access: Students can walk to Southampton Solent University in five minutes.
City Life: The Cultural Quarter and West Quay are seconds away.
Sustainability: This carbon-conscious design targets BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status.
Innovative Design and Safety Standards
This development leads the UK’s new regulatory landscape. Notably, it is the first regional project to earn approval under the Building Safety Regulator (Gateway 2) regime. We ensured that The Rubik Southampton is a benchmark for safety. It is also a visually stunning addition to the skyline.
A New Standard for Student Living
The project caters to high student expectations. For example, it includes a Sky Lounge, a private fitness suite, and secure bicycle storage. We remain committed to delivering spaces that foster community. Much like our work at The Pepper Mill, The Rubik Southampton represents our dedication to transforming urban sites into vibrant communities.
The Pepper Mill Edinburgh is a high-specification student accommodation development located at 24 Dunedin Street. This innovative project involved the comprehensive redevelopment of a former industrial site into a vibrant residential hub. Furthermore, the design provides premium living spaces that cater specifically to the growing demand for university housing in the Scottish capital.
The Vision for Student Accommodation in Edinburgh
Our team designed this project to harmonize with the unique architectural heritage of the area. Specifically, the development features contemporary finishes and sustainable materials. The units offer residents a sophisticated environment for both study and relaxation. Additionally, the project addresses the critical shortage of high-quality student accommodation in the city. Consequently, it has become a sought-after location for domestic and international students alike.
Strategic Location and Connectivity
The Pepper Mill sits in a prime location with excellent links to major academic institutions. Because of this, residents benefit from being within walking distance of the University of Edinburgh and other central campuses. Much like our landmark project, The Rubik Southampton, travel across the urban core is seamless. Academic Access: Students can easily commute to local universities via nearby transit links. City Life: The site is perfectly positioned near Broughton Street’s vibrant cafes and shops. Internal Resources: You can view our full range of property projects to see our wider portfolio.
A New Standard for Urban Living
The project caters to modern expectations by offering high-speed digital connectivity and energy-efficient systems. For example, it utilizes smart technology to reduce the carbon footprint of the building. We remain committed to delivering spaces that foster community and academic success. This student accommodation represents our dedication to transforming underutilized urban sites into premium residential communities.
The Pepper Mill featured in Elle Decor
The interior design of The Pepper Mill has been featured in Elle Decor Spain, highlighting the project’s distinctive design approach and material palette.
As an experienced PBSA developer in Edinburgh, Danehurst is proud to have delivered The Pepper Mill, a purpose-built student accommodation development providing high-quality housing for 155 students. Completed in September 2025, the scheme reflects our expertise in delivering sustainable, design-led student accommodation across the UK.
The Pepper Mill strengthens our portfolio as a leading student accommodation developer in Edinburgh, combining strong architectural design, premium amenities and long-term operational value.
Design-Led Purpose-Built Student Accommodation
At Danehurst, we specialise in creating purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) that balances private living with high-quality communal environments. The Pepper Mill includes:
Fully furnished, high-specification student rooms
Generous communal lounges and shared social spaces
Dedicated quiet study areas for individual and group work
A large, fully equipped on-site gym
Extensive landscaped gardens — a rare offering for PBSA in central Edinburgh
This development demonstrates our capability to deliver best-in-class student accommodation in prime city-centre locations.
Sustainable Student Accommodation in Scotland
Sustainability is central to our development strategy. The Pepper Mill is:
Fully carbon-free
Rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’
Certified WiredScore Platinum
As a forward-thinking PBSA developer in Scotland, we integrate advanced sustainable technologies and energy-efficient systems to ensure long-term environmental performance and asset resilience.
Internationally Recognised Interior Design
The interior design of The Pepper Mill has been featured in Elle Decor Spain, highlighting the project’s distinctive design approach and material palette.
Danehurst was granted planning approval for this new, exciting gateway building overlooking Palmerston Park in the centre of Southampton in December 2023 and the new building development will provide accommodation for 139 studio accommodation in an 8-13 storey building.
The accommodation is east/ west facing offering truly remarkable and uninterrupted views towards the Solent and the Isle of Wight.
New building seen in the distance from Palmerston Park, Southampton
The new accommodation will offer the students generous and carefully considered shared communal spaces, including social lounge, study rooms, fully equipped gym, sky lounge, laundry and cycle parking. Access to the building will be off Pound Tree Road.
The building sits right in the town centre, offering easy access to all the amenities the town centre has to offer and with 8 bus stops right outside, it offers easy access to all higher education facilities in Southampton.
The building is now approved by the Building Safety Regulator (Gateway 2) and we have commenced works with doors opening to students in September 2027.
The Rubik will be the first new building in Southampton to have gone through the new building regulation regime and will be among the safest buildings to live in and we can’t wait to bring this new, exciting accommodation with amazing views across Southampton and surrounding areas to students.
Building seen at dusk at junction of Pound Tree Road and Vincent Walk.
The building will be carbon free, be finished to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard and WiredScore Platinum.
Danehurst had planning granted on December 2nd 2025 to provide accommodation for 152 students . The site situated on Otago Lane, off Otago Street is in close proximity to University of Glasgow, less than 5 minutes’ walk. A mix of both studio and cluster accommodation is proposed. The building is surrounded by generous gardens and view over the River Kelvin which the site looks on. The building will be targeting BREEAM excellent and WiredScore Gold as a minimum.
The redevelopment of this vacant site will give the opportunity to offer improvements to the landscaping, amenity for not just the occupants of the PBSA development but also the existing residents and business owners of Otago Lane and the wider community as a whole.
The blocks range in scale from six storeys height in the south of the site to seven storeys to the north. All blocks are designed to orientate living spaces towards the river in north, east and southerly directions.
There are a large range of facilities and services located within close walking distance of the site, including food retail, other retail, leisure, food and drink, professional services and non- residential institutions.
A key objective has been to improve the accessible public realm and re-engage with the River Kelvin. There is also the opportunity to consolidate and improve the existing green corridor along the River Kelvin enhancing biodiversity.
View looking west from opposite side of River KelvinView down Otago Lane looking east towards River KelvinView looking southwest from opposite side of River KelvinDusk view of Amenity Courtyard outside Block’s B and C
This is Danehurst’s 4th student accommodation developed for students at Royal Holloway University of London. Works completed in August 2021 and students moved in September 2021.
Sitting right next to the University’s campus with only two minutes’ walk to campus it is proving a very popular accommodation for students.
The Garage, R-A-D
Offering accommodation for 166 students across 26 shared apartments – 4,5 or 6 students sharing – and 33 self contained studios across five buildings.
A large studio provided in PreedyA standard studio provided at top floorEach space designed with an emphasis on creating home away from home
Communal facilities include The Repair Shop – a communal lounge featuring large TV, pool and table tennis, comfy seating and workspace; The Study Room offers a private area for students who wish to work collaboratively or quiet study; and, The Body Shop which is proving extremely popular and offer all facilities expected of a fully equipped gym.
The Repair Shop – a large shared social space where student congregate at the end of busy day to chillThe Repair Shop offers space for play and workThe Study Room is used by students working in groups or simply when they wish to work quietly with other studentsA fully equipped gym, The Body Shop, is proving extremely popular with students
Foyer, reception and post room is conveniently located on the ground floor of MacDonald offering staff full view of the entrance areas of the development.
The site was acquired in 2016 with the benefit of a planning consent providing accommodation for 58 students. The property occupies a prominent corner position at the junction of Old London Road and Fairfield West in the vibrant town centre of Kingston upon Thames and was opened in time for the academic year 2017/18 and has proven extremely popular with students in Kingston with long waiting lists at the start of each academic year.
The building was originally provided with 58 studios for students and a retail unit on ground and lower ground floor.
In June 2020, we submitted an application to the planning authority to convert the accommodation into a co-living building with accommodation for up to 63 people and this was approved in 2021.
The building has now been refurbished to an extremely high standard which will convert the former retail unit into exciting social spaces for residents to use, including a cafe.
Other communal facilities include a large communal kitchen, private dinning room, cinema, private work spaces and entertainment facilities.
A large landscaped roof terrace is provided on the roof of the building offering unparalleled views of Kingston.
Situated in the heart of the city right next to Kingston’s vibrant town centre with a large selection of shops, restaurants and bars on the doorstep, converting the building into co living will provide much needed and attractive accommodation for young, aspiring professionals.
All studios are being upgraded to provide the ideal living space in a carefully coordinated design of high quality of finishes. Ranging in size from 17 m2 to 24 m2 each studio offers a 3/4 sized double bed, its own kitchen, en-suite bathroom and breakfast bars.
A student accommodation development of 178 units on the site of four substantial existing properties. Works started in April 2016 with the main contractor, HG Construction Ltd, and students moved in at the start of the academic year in September 2017.
Podium, just a few minutes walk from Royal Holloway’s campus, offers a choice of room types, all expertly designed to fit with the lifestyle and living requirements of today’s student.
Fitted with electronic gates, CCTV and 24/7 security, the development also offers residents peace and quiet from its substantial, mature landscaped gardens.
Every room benefits from its own en-suite bathroom, personal 100Mb wi-fi and private study area.
“I have inspected well over 5,000 student beds and I can truly say that this [Podium] is the nicest scheme I have ever come across.”
Dane Owen – fire consultant
Students moved in at the start of the academic year in September 2017.
“Podium sets the bar very high with exceptional location, comprehensive facilities and great design details – all to make sure the student’s stay is like being at home away from home.”
Maryam A – Resident
Fitted kitchens with spacious living areas.24/7 Security with electronic gates.Common room with seating games area.Comfortable communal areas and landscaped gardens with seating.Secure off-street car parking.Manned reception during working hours.Every student benefits from either a private or a shared kitchen with integrated appliances.Offered in one of five vibrant colourways, each room provides a fun and safe environment.
Construction started in April 2014 and was concluded in September 2015 with students moving in for the academic year 2015/16.
After planning consent was granted for The Pad (Phase I) in September 2011, we were approached by the homeowners of two adjacent properties. Danehurst developed its proposals in close consultation with the local planning authority with a view of including these properties into the original development. You can read more about our land requirements here.
In so doing, we also paid great heed to the principles of development established by the planning inspector who determined our application for Phase I, particularly in respect of the new building and its relationship with the neighbouring properties.
A quiet area of the landscaped gardens at The Pad.
The planning application was submitted in April 2013 and consent was granted by the local planning committee in September 2013. Construction started in April 2014 and was concluded in August 2015 with students moving in during September for the academic year 2015/16. The accommodation has been fully let since.
Designed in collaboration with HLN Architects and constructed by HG Construction, each studio included a luxury en-suite shower room & kitchenette, as well as a large bed, study desk, ample storage & seating area.
A typical studio at The Pad II
‘Lionel’s Den’ – the common room at The Pad
The building was fully booked by the end of August 2015.
The Pad (Phase I) was our first Student Accommodation development, for the first time working with HG Construction with design by Reading + West Architects LLP.
This accommodation provides 116 spacious bedrooms and studios , furnished to a high standard with each featuring an en-suite shower room.
Approached by the homeowner at 71 Egham Hill, we examined what type of redevelopment could be provided. With its commanding location, sitting right next door to Royal Holloway, University of London, it was decided that accommodation for students at the University would be the preferred use for the site. We agreed terms with the owner of 71 Egham Hill and later the owner of the adjacent property at 61 Egham Hill. To read more about our land requirements please see here.
Our proposals were prepared in close consultation with the local planning authority to take proper account of the characteristics of the site and the fact that the location was also adjacent to a residential area.
This was the first occasion that Runnymede Borough Council had considered a privately developed student housing development and consent was eventually, after an appeal, granted in 2011. Construction commenced in June 2012 and completed in the summer of 2013 and remains a very popular option with students at Royal Holloway and has been fully booked every year since opening.
This accommodation provides 125 spacious rooms all furnished to a high standard.
The site was acquired in 2016 with the benefit of a planning consent providing accommodation for 58 students. The property occupies a prominent corner position at the junction of Old London Road and Fairfield West in the vibrant town centre of Kingston upon Thames and was opened in time for the academic year 2017/18 and has proven extremely popular with students in Kingston with long waiting lists at the start of each academic year.
Situated in the heart of the city right next to Kingston’s vibrant town centre with a large selection of shops, restaurants and bars on the doorstep, converting the building into co living will provide much needed and attractive accommodation for young, aspiring professionals.
The Pad (Phase I) was our first Student Accommodation development, for the first time working with HG Construction with design by Reading + West Architects LLP.
