A key stage in the construction of Burnet Point, a new £59 million purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development at Abbey Lane in Edinburgh, has been celebrated with a topping-out ceremony.

Representatives from the developer Unite Students and the construction contractor GRAHAM recently attended the event, marking significant progress on the scheme.

Burnet Point is a mixed-use development, incorporating both PBSA and affordable housing, and is currently on schedule for completion in September 2025, in time for the 2025/26 academic year.

Edinburgh faces considerable demand for student housing, with nearly 20% of its population engaged in further or higher education. However, the city has a significant shortfall in PBSA, with estimates suggesting a need for an additional 17,000 beds to meet current demand.


The Burnet Point development aims to help address this shortage by providing 298 student bedrooms in a variety of cluster and studio flats. Additionally, the scheme will include 66 one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats, along with 17 affordable housing units which will be managed by Hillcrest Homes.

Sustainability has been a central consideration in the design of Burnet Point, with the incorporation of low-carbon concrete and timber composite materials. Carbon lifecycle assessments indicate that this project will be Unite Students' lowest carbon new build development to date.

Tom Brewerton, group development director at Unite Students, said: "We're thrilled to reach this milestone at Burnet Point. This marks a significant step in delivering high-quality and affordable accommodation to help meet the supply challenges in Edinburgh, one of the UK's most vibrant university cities. Once open, this property will help free up privately rented homes in the city for use by families, reducing housing shortage pressures. We're committed to providing students with safe and secure homes that enhance the local community and offer access to support if needed."

Gary Holmes, regional managing director at GRAHAM Building North, commented: "Burnet Point showcases our expertise in sustainable construction and mixed-use developments. The topping-out ceremony highlights the collective effort of all partners involved, and we look forward to completing the next stages as we bring this exciting development to life."