The Store House
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2022 - 2025
The Store House is a landmark PBSA development located in the heart of Leeds’ retail and entertainment district. Commissioned by developer Manner and funded by BlackRock, the project represents a shared commitment to raising the standard of student accommodation, blending heritage, innovation, and wellbeing into one cohesive living experience.
Appointed as interior designer in 2022, Project Studio where tasked with delivering the full interior design scope across all stages of development, crafting a student environment that is as high-performing as it is inspiring.
The design objectives for The Store House centred on creating a holistic living environment that actively supports student wellbeing, productivity, and community. The interior concept focused on delivering versatile, future-focused amenity spaces that align with the evolving needs of modern academic life. Sustainability was embedded throughout, with every design decision made in alignment with BREEAM Excellent standards and the UK’s Net Zero Carbon targets. Additionally, the design sought to honour and reflect the site’s heritage, weaving it into a contemporary narrative that feels both authentic and forward-looking.
Project Studio designed over 5,300 sqft of amenity space at The Store House, carefully curated to provide a balanced mix of functionality, wellness, and social connectivity. Key features include a fully equipped gym with commercial-grade fitness equipment, a vibrant games lounge with social seating and entertainment zones, and a cinema room with tiered seating for immersive viewing experiences. A private dining room connects to an exclusive rooftop terrace, while a dedicated wellness enclave offers a calming environment for rest and recharge. Additional amenities include a laundry room with integrated technology and soft social design elements, co-working and collaborative study areas, and a standout quiet study room cleverly concealed behind a feature bookcase wall—creating a hidden retreat within the heart of the amenity hub. Each space has been designed to balance durability with warmth, blending robust materials, refined detailing, and a hospitality-inspired palette to create a welcoming and resilient environment.
Situated on Briggate, Leeds’ main shopping high street, The Store House embraces the site’s heritage as a former department store, a key driver in the concept for the interior design. Drawing on this unique context, Project Studio conducted in-depth research into Victorian department store detailing, including concession stands and display cabinetry, which directly informed a series of bespoke joinery elements throughout the scheme. These features were used to subtly map the usage of space across the ground floor, creating visual cues and functional divisions that reference historical retail layouts while serving modern student needs. This heritage-led approach is paired with a confident, contemporary aesthetic, combining layered textures, cool tones, exposed materials, and thoughtful lighting to create an interior narrative that feels both grounded and forward-thinking. The studio where also commissioned to design Wayfinding and signage, further reinforcing the identity of each space, blending graphic and tactile elements to support intuitive, seamless navigation throughout the building.
In line with the building’s target of BREEAM Excellent certification and the UK’s Net Zero Carbon objectives, Project Studio integrated sustainability as a core principle throughout the interior design. This included the use of low-impact, responsibly sourced finishes, long-life modular FF&E solutions, and energy-efficient lighting and building systems. Every design decision was aligned with ESG criteria as part of the building’s inclusion in an Article 8 Fund, ensuring rigorous environmental and social performance. This approach guarantees that The Store House operates sustainably in both construction and day-to-day use, while still delivering a high-quality, user-focused design experience.
By working closely with the client, funder, and wider project team, Project Studio played a key role in shaping a development that responds to the changing needs and expectations of today’s students. The Store House offers a carefully considered, socially engaging, and future-ready living environment, establishing a new standard for purpose-built student accommodation in urban settings.
