McDonald Road

McDonald Road is a stylish and well-located student accommodation in central Edinburgh, offering modern living just minutes from the city's top universities.

05 June 2025

Project: McDonald Road Traditional Lock Replacement

Sector: PBSA

Product: TLJ Infinity locks, noTouch Contactless Exit Sensors, Access control wall readers, RFID fobs

Project Size: 160 rooms

Completion: November 2024

In November 2023, TLJ completed a full electronic access control refurbishment at McDonald Road, a centrally located student accommodation in Edinburgh operated by Prestige Student Living.

With 160 bedrooms and multiple communal areas, the project required careful planning and execution to minimise disruption, especially as the works were carried out during term time, while the building remained fully occupied.

As part of the upgrade, TLJ supplied and installed 160 Infinity electronic locks to all student bedrooms, along with 6 communal access control doors across the building. All works were completed using TLJ’s specialist refurbishment method, ensuring that every door met current fire compliance standards and required no structural door replacements.

This project highlights TLJ’s ability to deliver high-quality access control solutions in live environments, with minimal impact on residents and staff.

The successful completion of this project at McDonald Road reinforces TLJ’s reputation as a trusted partner for student accommodation providers looking to modernise their access control systems without compromising day-to-day operations.

By combining our specialist refurb expertise with high-performance smart lock technology, we were able to deliver a seamless upgrade that met the needs of both the operator and the residents.

TLJ remains committed to providing future-proof solutions that enhance safety, simplify access management, and elevate the student living experience across the UK and beyond.

Our experience with TLJ Locks in our student accommodation has been extremely positive from start to finish. The installation was handled efficiently and with minimal disruption, which is crucial in a busy residential environment.
While we did encounter a few teething problems initially, the TLJ team was quick to respond and provided excellent aftercare and support throughout.
The system itself is very user-friendly and simple to set up, making it easy for our team to manage access control. Creating and issuing key cards is quick and hassle-free, which has been a huge benefit during busy periods such as student arrivals.
TLJ’s professionalism, reliability, and commitment to resolving issues stood out, and the system has since proven to be a reliable and efficient solution for both staff and students.
We’re very impressed and would confidently recommend TLJ Locks for any student accommodation project

John Cummings | General Manager for Prestige Students at McDonald Road