Central London student accommodation provider, urbanist, has achieved BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification for its Battersea development, becoming the UK’s first multi-residential and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PSBA) UKNC 2018 assessment to achieve the top classification for the post-construction stage.

With sustainability at the heart of the design, construction, and operation of the project, this achievement consolidates urbanest’s leading credentials as a sustainable developer and operator in the PBSA sector and the built environment industry as a whole.

The certification covers all three student towers of the 853-bed development, which range in height from 14-19 storeys.

As a world-leading assessment framework for building sustainability and environmental performance, urbanest has set a new standard for sustainable student development in achieving BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, a reflection of the continued commitment to enhancing the health and wellbeing of student residents living inside the property.

After opening in September 2024, urbanest Battersea successfully achieved Passivhaus certification and remains the UK’s tallest Passivhaus-certified building.

By using high-performance standards such as BREEAM and Passivhaus, urbanest is highlighting its best-in-class accomplishments and the nurturing community that has been provided for students.

urbanest Battersea has set the benchmark for urbanest Canary Wharf, due to open in 2026 as the world’s largest Passivhaus PBSA scheme with 1,672 student beds, plus 80 residential apartments and significant commercial space.

Image, James Santer

The development is also targeting Passivhaus and BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification.

Since 2008, urbanest has opened nine PBSA properties in central London, including Hoxton, Tower Bridge, King’s Cross, St. Pancras, Westminster Bridge, Victoria, Vauxhall, City and Battersea.

Angus Kearin, head of development at urbanist, said: “As the UK’s first multi-residential, and therefore PSBA, UKNC 2018 assessment to achieve ‘Outstanding’ in post-construction stage, urbanest Battersea acts as an industry-leading example for future projects and serves as evidence of how we are responding to the net zero challenge.”