WGI to revive long vacant Durham property

A North East property investment firm is expanding its student accommodation portfolio with the redevelopment of a long-vacant city centre site.

Ward Group Investments (WGI) has acquired Hopper House on Atherton Street in Durham, securing planning approval to transform the former council office into a 45-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme. 

The 18,000sq ft building has stood empty for more than a decade and will now be brought back into use ahead of the 2027 academic year.

The deal, including completion of a Section 106 agreement, was finalised in just two weeks, enabling the project to move forward at pace. 

Once complete, the development will feature self-contained studio apartments alongside shared amenities including a gym, cinema room and landscaped study garden. 

The scheme will also house WGI’s new headquarters within the building.

Delivered by group company Viaduct Residences Limited, the project follows an extensive planning and consultation process involving Durham County Council, Durham University and City of Durham Parish Council. 

The aim is to deliver high-quality, sustainable accommodation while easing pressure on the city’s private rental market.

In addition to internal redevelopment, improvements will be made to the building’s exterior and surrounding public realm, with contributions supporting enhanced pedestrian routes.

The project team was led by Charles Ward of Ward Group Investments, alongside Jonathan Yates of Howarth Litchfield Architects and Emma Hepplewhite of Lichfields Planning Consultants, with support from Kinetic Consultants, BDN Structural Engineers, Innovation Fire Engineering, Andrew Mosely Consultants and Consult North.

Charles said: “The scheme achieved unanimous approval from the planning committee which is no mean feat considering the building has been vacant for over a decade – this is a strong endorsement of the collaborative approach we took throughout the planning process.

“We’ve worked closely with a strong design team to deliver a premium, sustainable development that not only brings a long-vacant building back into use but also supports Durham’s growing demand for purpose-built student accommodation.

“This scheme reflects our long-term commitment to Durham both through the delivery of best-in-class student living environments and by establishing our own headquarters within the city.

“We’re excited to move forward into the delivery phase and see the scheme come to life ahead of the 2027 academic year.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in early summer 2026.

The acquisition builds on WGI’s recent growth in the sector, following its purchase and upgrade of the 178-bed Three Tuns student accommodation in Durham, as the firm continues to strengthen its presence in the city.

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