McLaren Construction Midlands & North has completed the second and final phase of iQ Longwood Place, a major purpose-built student accommodation development near the University of Warwick, creating a new student-focused community on a revitalised site.
Developed by Topland Vintage Group and McLaren Property on behalf of iQ Student Accommodation, the finished scheme provides a total of 1,209 rooms designed to support student wellbeing, connectivity and community living. Its completion marks the end of a significant regeneration project that has transformed a previously underused business park and strengthened accommodation provision for students at the University of Warwick. The first phase delivered 572 beds in 2025, while the second phase has added a further 637 beds.
The development replaces outdated office buildings and a former multi-storey car park, with the demolition of Avon House, Swift House and associated structures making way for nine new residential blocks across the two phases. Located around a 15-minute walk from the university and within easy reach of Coventry city centre, the scheme includes a wide range of amenities such as lounges, study areas, a gym, karaoke room, arcade spaces and landscaped outdoor areas.
Sustainability played a central role in the project, which achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating. McLaren Construction worked alongside ecologists, Coventry City Council and local stakeholders throughout delivery to protect and enhance the surrounding environment, including safeguarding mature trees and installing bird boxes. Materials from the original buildings, including bricks, stone and concrete, were crushed and reused on site to minimise waste and support environmental objectives.
The project also delivered notable social value benefits for the local area. In partnership with Coventry City Council, it generated more than £19.5m in social return on investment through local supply chain spending, apprenticeships, employment opportunities and educational initiatives across Coventry and Warwickshire.
With the completion of iQ Longwood Place, McLaren Construction Midlands & North has now delivered a total of 2,870 student beds, including other developments in Nottingham and Manchester.
Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction Midlands & North, said: “The completion of iQ Longwood Place is a hugely significant milestone for McLaren Construction, Coventry and the wider University of Warwick community. This development has transformed a former business park into a vibrant new student village and played an important role in re-energising the area.
“From the outset, this project has been about far more than delivering high-quality accommodation. We’ve worked closely with the council and the local community, local supply chain partners and iQ throughout the scheme, while remaining committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment around the site.
“Completing the second phase required exceptional collaboration across the entire project team. The finished development will leave a lasting legacy for students and the city of Coventry for years to come.”
William Davies, Director of Asset Management at Topland Vintage, added: “The delivery of Topland Vintage’s development for iQ at Longwood Place marks the very successful completion of our long-term project to transform a redundant office scheme into a market leading student campus. All should be very proud of what has been created, and it has been a pleasure to work with such an expert team.”
George Basrawy, Head of Development for iQ, said: “We are delighted to add iQ Longwood Place to our portfolio, offering students a high-quality, campus-style living experience close to two leading universities. With phase two completing ahead of schedule, we can accommodate even more students in a location where demand continues to be strong. The number of students choosing to return for a second year in 2026/27 is a clear indication that the scheme is resonating with residents. It was great to work with McLaren Construction, Topland Vintage and the wider Project team.”
Claire Baxter, Senior Development Manager at McLaren Property, said: “We are extremely proud to mark the successful completion of this 1,209-bed student accommodation scheme, which represents a significant milestone for both our team and the wider community.
From the outset, our ambition was to deliver a high-quality, sustainable and future-focused living environment that responds to the evolving needs of today’s students. Achieving completion at this scale is a testament to the collaborative effort of our partners, consultants and contractors, whose expertise and commitment have been instrumental throughout the project.
“We are confident this scheme will make a lasting positive impact, enhancing the local area and providing students with an exceptional place to live, learn and thrive.”
A video of the completion of Longwood Place can be viewed here: