Revised Scheme Submitted for Planning to Include 504 Student Beds Above
Retail and Leisure Uses
DURHAM, England (30 April 2026) – Landmark Properties, the largest developer of student accommodation in the United States, has exchanged contracts to partner with Citrus Group and Galliard Homes for the mixed-use development of Prince Bishops Place in Durham. The proposed scheme will include 504 purpose-built student bedrooms alongside a new link to the River Wear, modern retail and leisure uses, and pedestrian links through the site. Landmark Properties will acquire the site and work alongside Citrus and Galliard to deliver the development once it has planning and regulatory approvals.
This is Landmark Properties’ third UK development; the milestone marks another step in its strategy to bring its student accommodations expertise to the United Kingdom. Landmark entered the UK market in 2024, completing its first land acquisition in 2025 – a prime site on William Road in central London – and has recently secured planning approval on a significant redevelopment at 120 Suffolk Street which will deliver 504 student bedrooms.
Planning permission was initially granted for Prince Bishops Place in 2024 and a new planning application was submitted earlier this year, evolving the scheme with an uplift in student beds and design improvements to respond to Landmark Properties’ investment and brand standards.
The plans will provide a mixed-use destination that creates a centrally located, multi-functional complimentary commercial development with student, retail, and hospitality uses, communal spaces and enhanced views of the River Wear while preserving the popular existing multi-storey car park. This redevelopment will provide a financially sustainable platform for the reimagining of Prince Bishops Place shopping centre, delivering exemplar student accommodation but also a wider and exciting new offer for the city centre.
Landmark Properties has more than 74,000 student beds under active management across the world and is keen to deliver a high-quality retail and residential development at Prince Bishops
Place. This exchange of contracts reinforces Landmark Properties’ plans to implement four to six PBSA and residential schemes per year.
Tristram Taylor, Development Manager of Landmark Properties said: “As long-term investors with vertically integrated development and property management expertise, we are excited to bring direct foreign investment to the historic city of Durham. Landmark Properties’ expertise ensures the delivery of a high-quality scheme reflecting the city’s UNESCO World Heritage City status.”
Ioannis Verdelis, Managing Director – Development & Investment Operations of Landmark Properties said: “We are building a business with a growing team and big ambitions to scale our investment in the UK’s student housing sector, and Durham is a very exciting market at a key inflection point. Our entry into this market represents a vote of confidence in the UK’s thriving higher education sector in general and in the city of Durham, more specifically. As evidenced by our activity over the past six months, Landmark is keen to invest in key strategic locations where demand outstrips supply with the goal of bringing forward high quality products that promote vibrant regeneration in underserved markets.”
James Taylor, Regional Director of Citrus Group, said: “We are thrilled to be exchanging contracts with Landmark Properties, who will take this long-awaited development through to delivery. Landmark, as a growing UK entrant in the student market, will bring an exciting new student offer to Durham but are also equally committed to delivering a new high street and complementary public benefits and we look forward to continuing to work alongside them on this exciting new chapter for the city.”
David Hirschfield, Group Managing Director of Galliard Homes, said: “Partnering with leading PBSA specialist Landmark Properties on Prince Bishops Place is an exciting step forward and reflects our shared commitment to delivering a high-quality, mixed-use destination for Durham City Centre. Our shared ambition is to create a first-class scheme Durham can be proud of, bringing forward excellent student accommodation alongside retail and leisure uses, set around an improved public square and pedestrian links that will serve to support the city centre for years to come.”
Landmark Properties were advised by Newmark. Vendors were advised by Savills and Harris & Associates.
About Landmark Properties
Headquartered in Athens, Ga., with offices in Atlanta, New York, and London, Landmark Properties is a fully integrated real estate investment management firm specializing in the development, construction, acquisition, and operation of high-quality residential communities. With over $15 billion in AUM, Landmark’s portfolio includes over 115 residential communities across the United States with 74,000 beds under management. Additionally, Landmark benefits from an active development pipeline with over 50 student and multifamily projects under construction or near-term start with an estimated value of over $10 billion. For more information, visit www.landmarkproperties.com.
Landmark Media Contacts:
Landmark Properties/Landmark Construction
Great Ink Communications – (212) 741-2977
Lindsay Church – Lindsay@greatlink.com
Sara Williams – Sara@greatlink.com
Eric Gerard – Eric@greatlink.com