02/06/2025
At the heart of every successful development lies a clear vision and a shared purpose. For Howard Group and St Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge, Mount Pleasant Halls is a testament to both. This collaborative project, delivered through the joint venture Howard Osborne LLP, has not only helped redefine student accommodation in Cambridge but has played a crucial role in enhancing the wellbeing, experience and ambitions of St Edmund’s College and its students.
Five years on from completion, Mount Pleasant Halls (MPH) continues to deliver on its core promise – high-quality, modern student accommodation in a location that combines accessibility with architectural distinction. Designed to provide a transformative living experience, the development includes 272 ensuite rooms across a mix of shared apartments and studios, making it one of the most desirable student residences in Cambridge.
MPH has become a cornerstone of student life at St Edmund’s College, playing a significant role in the College’s approach to wellbeing and inclusivity. The halls are particularly valued by students with accessibility needs due to their thoughtful design and ease of use, and the Common Room within MPH has emerged as a vibrant hub for wellbeing-focused programming, such as the College’s ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ events and induction programmes.
As mental health continues to be a priority within higher education, the MPH Common Room has offered a vital space for connection and support, aligned with the College’s broader strategy to foster belonging and prevent isolation. These seemingly small, humancentred design decisions have had a lasting impact on the daily lives and mental wellbeing of the students who live there.
From an experiential standpoint, MPH has set a new standard for student accommodation in the city. Students routinely praise the spacious, modern design, private bathrooms, and generous communal kitchens that encourage social interaction.
– Tiele, Master of Law student, St Edmund’s College
Despite being the College’s most premium accommodation, MPH remains the most indemand – an indicator of both the value placed on high-quality living and evolving student expectations. As one postgraduate student described it, staying at MPH was “the cherry on top” of their Cambridge experience, blending comfort, community and convenience into one cohesive offering.
The impact of MPH goes beyond individual student experiences. Strategically, it has enabled St Edmund’s College to grow its postgraduate community, directly supporting the wider University of Cambridge’s ambitions for expansion. As one of the newest residential offerings within the university, MPH has strengthened the College’s appeal to prospective students – both domestic and international – by allowing it to offer more places and modern living spaces that ‘just work.’
– St Edmund’s College
Crucially, this growth in residential provision has allowed the College to shift focus in its masterplan to other core elements of its estate, including teaching and meeting spaces, hospitality and office functions. In that sense, MPH has not only fulfilled an immediate need – it has unlocked future possibilities.
None of this would have been possible without a strong and aligned partnership. The success of MPH is underpinned by the collaboration between Howard Osborne and St Edmund’s College, which ensured the delivery of a highquality, onbudget development, completed on time and with minimal disruption. Regular working group meetings and open communication throughout the process were vital to ensuring the project remained aligned with the College’s values and student needs.
By involving key stakeholders from the earliest stages, the project benefited from continuous feedback and engagement, resulting in a development that truly reflects the character and ambitions of St Edmund’s. The partnership approach also ensured viability and unlocked the scale required to make a meaningful difference.
– Howard Group
MPH has not only set a precedent for quality but has provided critical insights into the future of student accommodation. The expectations of students have shifted in recent years – ensuite bathrooms, personal cooking facilities, high-speed digital connectivity and comfort are no longer luxuries but baseline requirements.
Affordability, energy efficiency and environmental performance are also increasingly central. As insulation standards improve, considerations like passive cooling and alternative heating solutions will become essential. As these factors continue to evolve, Howard Group remains committed to delivering spaces that meet these expectations sustainably.
From the street view to the student room, MPH has made a visible and meaningful contribution to St Edmund’s College, Cambridge. It stands as a living example of what is possible when partnerships are built on mutual trust, longterm thinking and a shared commitment to delivering social value. These qualities – deeply embedded in Howard Group’s values – were essential in shaping a development that continues to enhance lives and contribute positively to the community it serves.
At Howard Group, we are proud to have played a part in this journey. Guided by our purpose to improve and enrich lives, Mount Pleasant Halls reflects our belief that responsible development is about more than just delivering buildings – it’s about creating places with purpose that serve real needs, support thriving communities and stand the test of time.
Howard Group
93 Regent Street
Cambridge
CB2 1AW
01223 312 910
