Leeds sees overall slowdown in new construction starts but residential and student accommodation booms
A NEW study has revealed strong development across the residential and student accommodation sectors in Leeds last year, but a slowdown in the number of new construction starts overall in the city.
The Deloitte Regional Crane Survey monitored construction activity in Leeds city centre across a range of sectors including offices, residential, hotels, retail and leisure, education and student housing in 2025.
Now in its 19th year, the survey recorded eight new schemes breaking ground on site, which was down from 11 in 2024, and the lowest number of new construction starts since 2013.
However, there was a rise in the volume of new development across the residential sector, which increased year-on-year by 12 per cent and student accommodation by 84 per cent.
There is a robust development pipeline of activity with 20 sites under construction, while a further 15 projects were completed in 2025, the study said.
Angela Barnicle, director of city development, Leeds City Council, said: “The survey reinforces our belief that against a backdrop of global uncertainty and economic challenges, Leeds has positioned itself for a new era of growth, with a renewed commitment to regional development.
“We’re encouraged by the sustained momentum in our residential and student accommodation sectors, which are crucial to supporting our growing population and vibrant student community.”
In the city’s residential sector, there were three new starts, across 12 schemes. The number of units under construction is higher now than in the previous survey and represents the highest recorded volume since the Leeds’s survey records began. The survey noted 909 units completing in 2025.
In student accommodation, 1,914 student bedspaces were completed in 2025, marking the third highest completion figure since the Leeds Crane Survey launched in 2006.
There were four new student accommodation starts, the highest among the cities surveyed, and an increase of one from the previous survey.
In contrast to the figures seen in the residential and student accommodation, new construction starts have slowed in other sectors. Of the eight new projects underway, seven are dedicated to residential or student housing, with only one new office scheme breaking ground.
Meanwhile, 36,000 sq. ft. of office space was delivered, down on the 404,012 sq. ft. in 2024. However, 260,531sq. ft. remains under construction, all located in the City Core and South Bank.
There were no new starts in the hotel, education and retail and leisure sectors. In the hotel sector specifically, there were zero rooms under construction, with 169 beds delivered in 2025, down on 331 in the previous survey.
Leeds City College’s Mabgate Campus and Sports Campus, both located in the North East Fringe, were the two education completions in 2025.
Across Deloitte’s regional surveys in Belfast, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, 53 new construction starts were recorded in 2025, compared to 47 in 2024.