A long-vacant office building in Durham city centre is set for a new lease of life as Business Durham announced that Ward Group Investments has acquired the property to create housing for students. Hopper House, located on Atherton Street, has remained empty for more than a decade after previously serving as council offices.
The project will transform the 18,000 sq ft building into a 45-bed facility. Once completed, the site will offer self-contained studio apartments along with shared amenities including a gym, a cinema room, and a landscaped study garden. According to the developers, the scheme aims to provide high-quality accommodation while easing pressure on the city’s private rental market.
Following an extensive consultation process that involved Durham County Council, Durham University, and the City of Durham Parish Council, the plans received unanimous approval. Construction is expected to begin in early summer 2026, with the site ready for the 2027 academic year.
In addition to the student accommodation, Ward Group Investments will relocate its own company headquarters into the building. The project is being delivered by the firm’s subsidiary, Viaduct Residences Limited.
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