Verde is part of the wider £250m Downing Plaza development opposite St James’ Park stadium in Newcastle city centre. Tony McDonough reports.

Liverpool property developer Downing has unveiled its £46m student scheme in Newcastle – the biggest project to win approval in the city for a generation.

Called Verde and featuring a striking green exterior, the complex is the final phase of the landmark £250m Downing Plaza development opposite St James’ Park stadium.

Verde has been designed by award winning architects SimpsonHaugh and Partners and comprises 543 beds comprising 431 clusters and 112 studios.

Downing Plaza also includes a 183-room hotel, along with extensive retail space.

Residents will benefit from leisure facilities including a cinema room, games room and fully equipped gym, in addition to complimentary wi-fi and contents insurance.

A landscaped courtyard has also been created for the use and benefit of the students. 

Ann Lodge, Downing chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to complete the final stage of the Plaza Development. A striking addition to the scheme, Verde is a prime example of the kind of well-designed student accommodation that Downing is renowned for delivering.

“As with all of our academic residential schemes, the building itself is only half of the story. We have reached agreement with Newcastle University to let all of the 431 cluster rooms to its first-year students, who will benefit from the security and peace of mind offered by the holistic approach to accommodation of our on-call management team and the experience we have in catering to the needs of students living away from home for the first time.”