Zinc Quarter is a contemporary student accommodation in Bristol operated by Student Roost, located at 3 Unity Street, Bristol BS2 0NU, in the vibrant Old Market Quarter just east of the city center. It offers an unusually wide range of formats, student townhouses, en-suite bedrooms in shared apartments, non-en-suite rooms, and self-contained studios, with prices from around £219 per week, all bills included. The University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter campus and the University of Law are both within easy reach, and Old Market Street’s independent cafés, restaurants, and pubs are on the doorstep.
Zinc Quarter is positioned as one of the better-value central options in Bristol, and the inclusion of student townhouses (a format most PBSAs don’t offer) makes it genuinely distinctive. This guide covers the room types, the location, the value, and who it suits.
Zinc Quarter Bristol
| Feature | Detail |
| Operator | Student Roost |
| Address | 3 Unity Street, Bristol BS2 0NU |
| Area | Old Market Quarter, east of city centre |
| Room types | Student townhouses, en-suite rooms, non-en-suite rooms, studios |
| Price from | Around £219 per week, all bills included |
| Price range | Approximately £219-£406 per week |
| Distance to University of Bristol | 10-min walk to new Temple Quarter campus; 15-min cycle to main |
| Distance to University of Law Bristol | About 8-minute walk |
| Distance to UWE Bristol | About 30-minute bus ride |
| Amenities | Games space (pool, ping pong), communal areas, outdoor courtyard, study room, bike storage, laundry |
| Bills | All-inclusive; verify current rates at booking |
| Nearby | Old Market Street, Cabot Circus, city centre (15-min walk) |
The townhouse format: genuinely different
Most student accommodation in Bristol offers two formats: en-suite rooms in cluster flats or self-contained studios. Zinc Quarter adds a third that very few competitors have: student townhouses. These give a group of friends an entire townhouse to share, a level of independence and space that sits between PBSA and a private student house but with the all-inclusive bills and on-site support of managed accommodation. For groups who want to live together with more autonomy than a cluster flat allows, this is a rare and valuable option.
Alongside the townhouses, Zinc Quarter offers:
- En-suite rooms in shared apartments, with private bathroom and shared kitchens
- Non-ensuite rooms, the budget option with shared bathroom and kitchen, ideal for cost-conscious students
- Self-contained studios for full independence
This range means Zinc Quarter genuinely caters across budgets, from the lowest-cost non-ensuite up to private studios.
The location: Old Market Quarter
The Unity Street address (BS2 0NU) sits in the Old Market Quarter, one of Bristol’s most characterful and up-and-coming areas, just east of the city center:
- University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter campus is around a 10-minute walk, making Zinc Quarter well-positioned for the university’s newest teaching site
- University of Law Bristol is about an 8-minute walk
- University of Bristol main precinct is roughly a 15-minute cycle
- UWE Bristol is about a 30-minute bus ride
- Old Market Street offers quirky cafés, independent restaurants and pubs on the doorstep
- Cabot Circus shopping is nearby
- Bristol city centre is about a 15-minute walk
The Old Market position is a genuine asset for students at the University of Bristol’s growing Temple Quarter campus and at the University of Law, both of which are far closer than the city’s older, Clifton-oriented PBSAs.
Value and pricing
Zinc Quarter is positioned as one of the better-value central Bristol options. Pricing starts around £219 per week for non-en-suite rooms and ranges up to around £406 per week for premium studios, all bills included. Aggregator data has noted the property priced meaningfully below the Bristol average, which makes it worth considering for cost-conscious students who still want a central, managed building.
A practical note on bills and council tax: as with all PBSA, full-time students are exempt from council tax, and at Zinc Quarter all utility bills are included in the rent. You may need to download a council tax exemption certificate from your university and submit it to the local council; the on-site team can guide you.
Amenities
Zinc Quarter’s amenity package is solid rather than extravagant, in keeping with its value positioning:
- Games space with pool table and ping pong table
- Spacious communal living areas
- Outdoor courtyard for fresh air and socialising
- Study room for quiet work
- Secure bike storage
- On-site laundry
- 24/7 on-site support team
Note that, based on aggregator listings, Zinc Quarter does not have an on-site gym, which is worth knowing if a gym is a priority for you (Pure Gym and other options are nearby in the city).
Who Zinc Quarter suit?
Strong fit: University of Bristol Temple Quarter campus students; University of Law Bristol students (8-minute walk); groups of friends wanting a townhouse to share; cost-conscious students wanting central living; students drawn to the Old Market area’s independent character.
Weaker fit: students who need an on-site gym (not available); UWE-focused students (30-minute bus); students wanting to be closest to the Clifton main precinct (consider Brunel House or Campbell House).
How to book Zinc Quarter Bristol
- Browse room types on Student Roost’s site or verified aggregators
- Choose your format: townhouse, en-suite, non-en-suite, or studio
- Confirm current price for your chosen room and tenancy length
- Arrange guarantor or payment plan
- Download and submit your council tax exemption certificate once enrolled
FAQs
What is Zinc Quarter, Bristol?
Zinc Quarter is a contemporary student accommodation in Bristol operated by Student Roost at 3 Unity Street, BS2 0NU, in the Old Market Quarter east of the city center. It offers student townhouses, en-suite rooms, non-en-suite rooms, and studios from around £219 per week, all bills included.
How much is a zinc quarter from Bristol?
Prices start from around £219 per week for non-en-suite rooms and range up to approximately £406 per week for premium studios, all-inclusive of bills. Prices are time-sensitive; verify current rates at booking.
Which universities is Zinc Quarter near?
The University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter campus is about a 10-minute walk; the University of Law Bristol, about an 8-minute walk; the University of Bristol main precinct, around a 15-minute cycle; and UWE Bristol, about a 30-minute bus ride.
What room types does Zinc Quarter offer?
Student townhouses (a rare format that gives a group an entire house), en-suite rooms in shared apartments, budget non-en-suite rooms, and self-contained studios, catering across a wide range of budgets.
Does Zinc Quarter have a gym?
Based on current listings, Zinc Quarter does not have an on-site gym. It offers a games space with pool and ping pong, communal areas, an outdoor courtyard, a study room, bike storage, and laundry. Gyms like Pure Gym are available nearby in the city.
Are bills included at Zinc Quarter Bristol?
Yes. All utility bills are included in the rent. As a full-time student you are also exempt from council tax, though you may need to submit a council tax exemption certificate from your university to the local council.