The site of the Carnatic Halls of Residence was once the location of Mossley Hill House built in 1779; this house caught fire during renovations in 1890 and was destroyed. A new house was built on the site by Walter Holland called Carnatic Hall. The University purchased the Hall in 1946.

Following an open competition to design the Carnatic site, the halls of residence were built between 1964 and 1974.