Agard Street, Derby

YMD Boon were appointed by a private developer to design and deliver an eight-storey student accommodation scheme on Agard Street, Derby. Located within a conservation area and adjacent to several listed buildings, the development required careful design consideration to respect its historic surroundings while introducing a contemporary new addition to the cityscape.

The building provides 94 bedrooms arranged across 70 apartments, offering a mix of studio and cluster flats supported by shared amenities including a reception area, laundry facilities, and cycle storage. A landscaped courtyard and associated external spaces enhance the student experience, providing safe and attractive communal areas.

The development supports Derby’s growing University District, aligning with the Council’s aspiration to create a distinctive academic quarter. Its design responds to the character and scale of neighbouring properties, stepping down in height towards the east to reduce impact on nearby heritage assets such as Pickford House.

Delivered as a car-free scheme, the project promotes sustainable travel through ample cycle storage and pedestrian connectivity. Close collaboration with planning, conservation, and highways officers ensured a well-balanced design, one that contributes positively to the regeneration of Agard Street and provides high-quality, purpose-built accommodation at the heart of Derby’s expanding student community.