Moda tops out first dedicated student development in Leeds

Moda has topped out its first dedicated student development, marking a major construction milestone at the 291-bedroom scheme at SOYO in Leeds.

Now at its highest point, the development is progressing towards completion and is due to welcome its first residents for the 2027/28 academic year. Once complete, it will be operated by Moda, drawing on more than a decade of experience creating and managing rental communities across the UK.

Students from across Leeds’ education community joined Moda, construction partner Caddick and city leaders to mark the occasion, reflecting the development’s location at the heart of SOYO’s growing cluster of education and cultural institutions.

Students representing different routes through education and skills in the city took part in the final concrete pour at the highest point of the development, symbolically embedding education into the building and the next chapter of SOYO.

A representative from neighbouring Leeds City College was joined by degree- and T-level Caddick apprentices who are training on the site, with students from Leeds Conservatoire also attending the event.

The development sits alongside Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Conservatoire, Leeds City College’s Creative Arts faculty and Northern Ballet, and occupies the penultimate plot at SOYO, with just one remaining development site before the regeneration of the district is complete.

The development will offer 291 bedrooms across a mix of private studios and cluster apartments, alongside shared spaces designed around how students study, socialise and spend their time. Amenities will include dedicated study and co-working spaces, a creative studio, 24-hour gym, yoga studio, karaoke room, lounges, bar and rooftop terrace.

Operated by Moda, the neighbourhood will bring the business’s established approach to service, wellbeing and technology into student living. These will sit at the heart of the Moda Student resident experience, with a focus on creating a sense of belonging and care for students living away from home.

Education and skills have also played a major role throughout the construction programme. Caddick has so far delivered more than 747 hours of employment taster and work experience activity through the project, alongside 66.5 hours of support for students at local education institutions.

The project has also employed or retained 377 local people to date, while apprentices working on the development have been gaining qualifications and experience across disciplines including site management, civil engineering, quantity surveying and bricklaying.

Johnny Caddick, Chief Executive of Moda and Caddick, said:

“SOYO has been a huge part of our journey in Leeds, and reaching this milestone at Moda’s first dedicated student community brings us another step closer to completing our long-term vision for what is already a thriving neighbourhood.

“We’re proud to be drawing on the breadth of expertise from across Caddick, with Moda, Caddick Developments and Caddick Construction all playing a role in bringing this development to life. We’re now looking forward to taking the project through its final stages as we prepare to open the doors and welcome our first students to the building next autumn.”

Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“Supporting the delivery of learning and skills opportunities for all is central to the council’s ambitions for Leeds, where our student population already makes a really important contribution to local life.

“With its proximity to a whole host of educational institutions and occupying a prime spot within the impressive SOYO neighbourhood, Moda’s new development promises to enhance the city’s reputation as a brilliant place for young people, from Leeds and beyond, to fulfil their potential.

“It was great to see students on different educational journeys playing their part in the topping-out event and highlighting the breadth of opportunities that exist in this area of the city, from further and higher education to the creative industries and apprenticeships.”

SOYO is one of Yorkshire’s largest residential-led regeneration projects. Construction began in 2019 and the neighbourhood is already home to more than 1,000 residents across Moda’s New York Square development, as well as the Mercer West and Madison East communities.

Moda’s first dedicated student development is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2027/28 academic year.