UXCO Group has made a significant stride in expanding its footprint in the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector by acquiring three new schemes located in Lyon and Toulouse, as well as securing a new project in Paris-Saclay. The newly acquired properties, namely UXCO Student Lyon 9 and UXCO Student Toulouse Saint-Michel, along with the Paris-Saclay initiative, encompass a total of over 530 new bedrooms, representing a substantial investment of €60 million. This latest acquisition underscores the Group’s robust growth trajectory, especially following their earlier announcement of acquiring UXCO Student Lyon 8 just a few months prior.
As part of its ongoing strategy to address the fundamental demand for PBSA in Lyon, Toulouse, and Paris-Saclay, UXCO Group continues to pursue ambitious investment goals. The planned residence in the Paris-Saclay innovation hub is poised to benefit from a prime location that is in close proximity to esteemed higher education institutions and the future Line 18 of the Grand Paris Express Metro. This new development will further solidify UXCO Group’s position in an area where they already operate the Ecla Paris Massy-Palaiseau and UXCO Student Hacker residences.
The New Developments
In line with its development strategy focusing on key university cities and leading academic areas, UXCO Group aims to provide students with innovative, community-oriented living environments that are exceptionally well-connected and highly sustainable. According to Maël Aoustin, CEO and President of the Management Board at UXCO, “Our ambition remains unchanged: to offer students an innovative, community-focused living environment perfectly connected and highly sustainable.”
The UXCO Student Lyon 9 scheme will be developed by URBEE and is set to be situated at a historically significant site. This redevelopment project is part of a mixed-use complex, which will also include a municipal centre and office spaces. Scheduled to open for the 2027 academic year, this scheme will feature 127 bedrooms across 2,600 square metres. In accordance with UXCO Group’s brand vision, the amenities will include a co-working area, a cinema room, and a spacious shared kitchen, with financing provided by Société Générale.
Major Development in Toulouse
UXCO Student Toulouse Saint-Michel represents a major development initiative within a new mixed-use complex, which is set to be developed by Oceanis Promotion. This scheme will be located at the heart of a vibrant office and residential site in central Toulouse. Scheduled to open in time for the 2028 academic year, the development will feature 240 bedrooms spread over 5,000 square metres of living space. This large-scale project will also include extensive communal facilities such as co-working spaces, a cinema room, a karaoke room, a fitness room, and a shared kitchen. The financing for this ambitious project is being provided by ARKEA Banque.
Strategic Location and Sustainability Goals
These new developments in Lyon, Toulouse, and Paris-Saclay are strategically located just a short walk from major public transport links, offering students convenient access to their respective cities and university campuses. Furthermore, the schemes are part of an ambitious sustainable construction and renovation approach, with a target of achieving BREEAM Very Good certification. The total volume of investments made by UXCO Group in recent months, including the acquisition of UXCO Student Lyon 8, has now reached €80 million, resulting in an impressive addition of 700 new bedrooms to their portfolio.