Mercury Point in Southampton has been earmarked for redevelopment by Unite Students.
Southampton City Council granted planning permission for the site in Duke Street last year.
The plans involve demolishing the 16-storey block and replacing it with a building up to 21 storeys for 783 students.
Mercury Point in Duke Street, Southampton. Picture: LDRS
When the scheme went before councillors in March 2025, a Unite Students representative said the accommodation would close that summer ahead of the redevelopment.
The existing block has sat empty for the past academic year, with no signs of demolition starting.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted Unite Students and asked why the scheme had stalled, when was demolition expected to take place, what was the planned timeline for the redevelopment and was the company committed to carrying out the project.
A Unite Students spokesman said: “We’re currently assessing our options for delivery of this scheme after receiving planning permission last year to redevelop Mercury Point with new accommodation for 783 students.”
Council leader Sarah Bogle, councillor responsible for economic development, said she will be keeping a close eye on the Mercury Point scheme and other approved developments in the city.
Cllr Bogle said: “I do appreciate that the current market conditions are challenging.”
As reported, Unite Students said “fire impairment issues” at Mercury Point were not fully released when the company bought the building, which is only around 20 years old.
The issues with the block are said to run through to the steel frame of the structure.
This made remedying the problems “unviable”, Unite Students said.
The redevelopment plans would house students across 166 studio and 84 cluster flats, with 221 more bedspaces than the current empty accommodation.
Speaking at the planning and rights of way panel last year, Katy Snodgrass, design and planning architect at Unite Students, said: “The redevelopment of Mercury Point creates an exciting opportunity to regenerate the site and provide a best in class student accommodation development.
“The new Mercury Point will provide an opportunity to create an exciting new landmark building in the city.”
In July 2024, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service issued a notice to parent company of Unite Students over specific rooms within the building and concerns around the safety of occupants of these rooms should a fire break out.
Unite Group PLC complied with the notice, which remains in place, a fire service spokeswoman said.