News

Mainland Capital today reveals the design for its student accommodation village at 265 Riccarton Road, 700 metres south of the University of Canterbury, following confirmation last month that demolition works were underway on the 1.5-hectare property. The village will be delivered in two stages, with construction commencing by the end of the year and Stage 1 opening for the start of the 2028 academic year.

The design draws on the low rise, courtyard led residential heritage found in some of the world's most renowned university towns, from the mews lanes of Edinburgh to the Georgian terraces of Bath and the collegiate courtyards of Oxford. The layout deliberately distributes the more than 450 beds across a connected village of mews style townhouses, each opening onto landscaped courtyards and pedestrian-first laneways. The result is a village built around everyday connection, with inclusion, community and collaboration designed in from the outset.

"We started with the community we wanted to create, rather than a building driven by traditional developer led motivations, and let that shape the layout," says Chris Scott, Head of Finance and Acquisitions at Mainland Capital. "Every decision, from the courtyards and shared amenity to the way students will interact with the built environment and green spaces, was made to be bespoke and purpose led."

The village is designed to fill a gap Christchurch lacks at scale, the middle ground between first year halls of residence and the private rental market. Homes are brand new, healthy home compliant, fully furnished and professionally managed. The offering is aimed at students from second year through to postgraduate level, as well as international students, who have historically had few quality purpose built options once they leave the halls.

A central communal pavilion anchors the village, a gabled, light filled space set around planting and aspect centred on a large historic elm tree. Inside, the pavilion holds dedicated quiet study areas, event space, and games and social zones for residents to come together. Beyond the pavilion, parcel lockers, electric ride share provision, courtyard gardens, outdoor seating and informal lawn areas give students space to gather and connect. Site preparation is underway, marking the first physical transformation of a site that has stood derelict since the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.