A fast-growing Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support one of the biggest residential schemes ever to be built in Leeds city centre. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to support the £85 million Castleton Works scheme which will provide nearly 400 build-to-rent apartments. Detailed planning permission
The areas cover three schemes spanning more than 30 miles between Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, and are providing safety benefits for road users. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company working as part of SMP Alliance, has completed the construction of 41 new emergency areas ahead of schedule between junctions 28 and
Health and wellbeing is naturally high on the agenda in healthcare facilities, but what more can be done to ensure fire door safety is being met with competency and not complacency? Alex Airnes of Allegion UK discusses. Healthcare environments are synonymous with caution, wellness and safety. Though, where National Health
Komatsu Europe has announced its 3D Machine Guidance system is now fully compatible with industry-leading tilt rotators brands, including Engcon, Steelwrist, Rototilt, and OilQuick. This milestone ensures that companies and their operators can achieve greater efficiency, precision, and versatility on the job site, regardless of their preferred tilt rotator brand.
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) is delighted to announce its new partnership with The Skills Centre to deliver essential training and support for individuals pursuing careers in the finishes and interiors sector. This collaboration aims to address the growing skills shortage in construction, specifically in this sector, which faces
SEGRO has completed the development of nine new speculatively-built industrial units at Slough Trading Estate, providing highly sustainable space to meet demand from a diverse range of businesses The redevelopment scheme at 136 Edinburgh Avenue has transformed the former single-building into over 107,000 sq ft of high-quality warehouse space. The
Iconic discount retailer B&M is forging ahead with ambitious expansion plans, announcing the opening of 45 new stores across the UK in the year ahead—even as it grapples with a dip in like-for-like sales at home. In the 12 months to 29 March, the retailer reported a 3.1% drop in
A new Freedom of Information request spotlights the UK’s leading universities for building repair and remediation works Recent figures reveal that the maintenance backlog for the Department for Education was in excess of £13.8bn in 2023-24.* The excessive costs spotlight the need for more cost-efficient repair and remediation works of
Proposals for a new development of 160 homes in Nuneaton will bring a raft of benefits to the local area – providing affordable housing, new public open space and investment into local infrastructure. The proposed Bellway development, to the east of Plough Hill Road, would deliver 40 affordable homes to
Spectacular drone footage has captured construction progress of high-quality student accommodation at 292-298 St Vincent Street, Glasgow which is on schedule for completion in summer 2026. Developer Artisan Real Estate and Homes for Students, the UK’s largest independent student management company, are partnering with building contractor GRAHAM on the £70
A fast-growing Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support one of the biggest residential schemes ever to be built in Leeds city centre. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to support the £85 million Castleton Works scheme which will provide nearly 400 build-to-rent apartments. Detailed planning permission has been granted by Leeds City Council The development, on the regenerated west side of Leeds city centre near The Junction and Wellington Place, will also provide three shop units, a gym, a padel court, roof gardens and roof terraces, open green space and parking facilities with electric vehicle charging points.. TCC has been involved since the initial project stages and is providing quantity surveying and cost consultancy for the development. The project developer – Solaris – has successfully developed similar schemes at The Crown Works and The Emporium in Birmingham and The Chapel in Manchester TCC co-founder and director Alex Pimley said, “This is a prestigious scheme in a fast-evolving part of Leeds city centre which will create an urban community designed around the principles of sustainability and internal amenities, with ample green space to be enjoyed by residents. We are delighted to be involved in such an imaginative scheme.” TCC has a wealth of experience across public and private sectors including industrial, commercial, retail, leisure, care and residential projects. Headquartered in Bennett’s Hill, TCC is a multi-disciplined consultancy providing specialist project management, quantity-surveying, employers agent, building surveying and health and safety services to a wide range of sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The areas cover three schemes spanning more than 30 miles between Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, and are providing safety benefits for road users. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company working as part of SMP Alliance, has completed the construction of 41 new emergency areas ahead of schedule between junctions 28 and 35A of the M1. The emergency areas are on a 32-mile stretch of the motorway between Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. They are part of National Highways’ National Emergency Area Retrofit (NEAR) programme, a £390m investment plan which, along with technology like stopped vehicle detection, aims to improve safety on the road network. The emergency areas are stationed at regular intervals along the motorway where there isn’t a permanent hard shoulder, offering a safe place for road users to stop in an emergency. Each area is approximately 100 metres long and is clearly marked in orange tarmac and blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol. Costain, as SMP Alliance on-site assembly partner, has now completed the installation of the final 22 emergency areas between junctions 28 and 30, with the spacing between emergency areas reduced by half. The 32-mile stretch of road, which carries more than 200,000 vehicles a day, is now fully open for traffic at the national speed limit and has been completed ahead of schedule, improving regional mobility within Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. Jacky Li, project director at Costain, commented: “It’s a fantastic achievement to have delivered these three schemes, which cover more than 30 miles of one of the UK’s busiest motorways, ahead of schedule. Through a collaborative approach and a like-minded group of delivery and supplier network partners in SMP Alliance, we’ve been able to efficiently and safely deliver all 41 emergency areas for National Highways. “Our work will improve the resilience of the local road network, and the additional emergency areas will increase safety, reduce disruption and improve mobility for road users for many years to come, helping to drive prosperity across Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.” The completion of the work follows Costain completing a ten-mile upgrade of the M6 in the North West in December last year, as well as a new nine mile stretch of dual carriageway on the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross in Cornwall. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Health and wellbeing is naturally high on the agenda in healthcare facilities, but what more can be done to ensure fire door safety is being met with competency and not complacency? Alex Airnes of Allegion UK discusses. Healthcare environments are synonymous with caution, wellness and safety. Though, where National Health Service professionals work determinedly to meet the needs of their patients, equally as vital are the fire door safety procedures practiced throughout NHS premises. Fire safety management plays a crucial role in all healthcare settings, where protecting staff, visitors and potentially vulnerable patients is a continuous effort. Even with a host of unique operational challenges, hospitals, for example, are often considered to be one of the safest public buildings. In fact, a survey conducted by The British Woodworking Federation discovered that 52% of respondents believed hospitals to provide the highest level of fire safety in a building. Despite these perceptions, NHS data has previously reported a concerning rise in fire incidents across sites around the country. The inherently busy nature of healthcare settings and around-the-clock use of facilities containing vulnerable patients, medical equipment and even flammable materials, presents a complex set of fire safety issues that must be addressed. With that in mind, is there perhaps more work to be done to ensure fire door safety is approached professionally to further mitigate risk? Health and fire door safety In the three months ending January 2025, an average of 46,000 people visited major hospital A&E departments each day in England, with a further 27,300 visitors attending minor A&E facilities every day. Fire doors play a vital role in protecting each of those individuals, but when paired with the fast-flowing traffic often found in healthcare facilities, this sustained level of footfall can create relentless environments that are unforgiving on fire doors and their hardware. As a critical element of passive fire protection, fire doors are designed to compartmentalise fire and smoke for a specified period of time. Where fire could spread quickly across the interconnected sections of healthcare estates, fire doors will form protective barriers for a minimum of 30 minutes (FD30) or 60 minutes (FD60), allowing occupants to escape and preventing potentially life threatening smoke inhalation in the process. Fire doors can only operate effectively when working in tandem with their hardware components, such as hinges, seals and fire door closers. Yet, all too often in healthcare settings, fire doors and their hardware become damaged and fall victim to improper maintenance and use, with some self-closing doors even propped open to improve the flow of traffic and ease of access for beds, wheelchairs and medical trolleys. In turn, this leaves closers disengaged and renders doorsets useless in the event of a fire. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, healthcare management teams are given a direct responsibility to ensure employees and patients are safe within their premises. With this, NHS trusts must nominate a ‘responsible person’, which is often an individual who possesses a legal responsibility to demonstrate effective fire safety procedures, undertake risk assessments and meet fire safety compliance. In demanding healthcare environments, regular fire door inspections are key, and as part of their duties, a designated responsible person must have a firm understanding of fire door checks and maintenance, whilst also raising staff awareness on the importance of fire door safety. For this, ongoing education is key. Prevent and protect In order to retain the integrity of a fire door and its components, healthcare estates must consider how accurate specification, professional installation and ongoing maintenance can help to reduce common hazards and the possibility of danger before it surfaces. Routine fire door checks can save lives and should form the agenda of anyone responsible for fire safety management. They consist of reviewing the specification, installation, condition and certification of: When performing a closing action, a fire door calls upon each of these components and as such, not one element can fail in the event of a fire. To meet the necessary standards, the complete fire doorset must pass a series of standardised tests in the form of UKCA and CE certifications, which healthcare officials can identify – alongside a fire door’s FD ratings – by reviewing the label, usually found on the top edge of the door. Correct specification is essential to long-term performance too. For high-use areas in large hospitals, for example, electromagnetic hold-open devices are a more appropriate choice and allow fire doors to close once a fire alarm is activated, automatically releasing the door in a safe and controlled manner. In smaller, slower-paced settings, cam-action closers with slide arms can fulfil fire door regulations whilst providing ease of operation and accessibility for vulnerable users who may otherwise struggle with heavy doors. Regardless of size, layout and the building’s needs, all healthcare facilities must look to inherit a regular maintenance plan for their fire doors and emergency exit routes. In doing so, teams can highlight any early signs that a fire door is not performing as it’s required to, which can help prevent irreparable damage to the door and its hardware – saving the need for replacements and reducing costs for establishments managing budget restraints. When a fire door and its hardware is no longer compliant, teams must ensure repairs and replacements are made quickly and at a professional standard. Fire door safety is an ongoing responsibility for healthcare management teams and requires comprehensive planning and regular action. Where patient safety remains the primary focus, a proactive approach is necessary. As such, healthcare officials are urged to pay close attention to their estate’s fire door safety measures, because although fire is unpredictable, it is in most cases preventable. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Komatsu Europe has announced its 3D Machine Guidance system is now fully compatible with industry-leading tilt rotators brands, including Engcon, Steelwrist, Rototilt, and OilQuick. This milestone ensures that companies and their operators can achieve greater efficiency, precision, and versatility on the job site, regardless of their preferred tilt rotator brand. Komatsu’s Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance provides real-time 2D and 3D guidance to enhance earthmoving precision, reduce rework, and optimize workflows. The system can be retrofitted on excavators ranging from 13 to 120 tons, including both Komatsu and non-Komatsu equipment. As an IoT solution within the Smart Construction suite, it collects as-built data, which is visualized in a 3D digital twin within the Smart Construction Dashboard. This provides actionable insights into project progress. Additionally, it includes a free Remote license for the lifetime of the system, allowing seamless remote file transfers and troubleshooting. Finally, payload information is automatically reported to Smart Construction Fleet, improving operational tracking and machine productivity. “This advancement empowers operators to move materials with even greater speed and accuracy,” says Bart Vingerhoets, Senior Commercial Manager at Komatsu Smart Construction. “With over 80 percent of excavators in Northern Europe already equipped with tilt rotators as standard, we are committed to evolving our digital tools in line with market demands, ensuring our customers have access to the best technology available.” Previously, 3D Machine Guidance was only compatible with tilt buckets that swung left to right, however with this breakthrough update, excavator buckets can now rotate a full 360 degrees, unlocking unprecedented control and efficiency on-site. Krister Blomgren, CEO of Engcon, is pleased about the collaboration, recognizing the benefits it will bring to mutual customers. He said: “We are looking forward to seeing how our customers can benefit from the integration of our tilt rotators with Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance for a more efficient job site.” As technology continues to evolve, compatibility will play an increasingly pivotal role in the digital transformation of the industry, fostering innovation and accelerating the adoption of smart technology. Stefan Stockhaus, CEO of Steelwrist added: “With a tiltrotator on the excavator, the Komatsu customers get a massive efficiency improvement and even more so with the Smart Construction Machine Guidance system.” To find out more, please click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) is delighted to announce its new partnership with The Skills Centre to deliver essential training and support for individuals pursuing careers in the finishes and interiors sector. This collaboration aims to address the growing skills shortage in construction, specifically in this sector, which faces a critical demand for skilled workers. According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the construction sector will require an additional 251,500 workers by 2028. Furthermore, 61% of FIS members report struggling to find skilled workers, highlighting the urgency of this partnership to address the skills gap. As the UK continues to invest in reaching its Net Zero targets, retrofit projects will increase, driving continued demand for insulation and drylining skills as the 2050 deadline approaches. Through this collaboration, The Skills Centre will deliver a series of Bootcamps designed to provide individuals with the hands-on training and industry-specific knowledge necessary to kickstart their careers in the finishes and interiors sector. These intensive programmes will bridge the gap between talent supply and employer demand, offering practical experience and career support to participants. The first offering will be an Introduction to Insulation and Drylining course, which is a free, eight-week programme. Successful participants will earn a Level 2 qualification. The training and qualifications* will include: -Cskills Level 1 Health & Safety -CITB CSCS Health & Safety Environment (Green Card) -Level 2 Understanding Domestic Retrofit -Level 2 Removing Non-Hazardous Waste in the Workplace (Blue Card) -Environmental awareness in the construction industry -Introduction to Interior Systems -Introduction to Passive Fire In addition, a new Drylining Apprenticeship will be available for pre-screened local candidates who have come through funded Bootcamps. This specialist training will cover Partition Walls, MF Ceilings, Grid Ceilings, Shaft Walls, Metsec Installation, Rainscreen Cladding and Passive Fire Protection. Employers in the finishes and interiors sector are encouraged to get involved and support the initiative by providing interview opportunities or offering work experience placements with a view to future employment. The initiative aims to support workforce development, create opportunities for career growth, and enhance the talent pipeline within the sector. Commenting on the initiative, FIS Head of Skills Beena Nana, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with The Skills Centre to enhance the support we provide to our members while tackling the growing skills shortages in our industry. This partnership enables us to combine resources and expertise, fostering opportunities for development, training, and growth, which will ultimately benefit our members and the broader community by addressing critical workforce challenges.” Sam Downton, Director at The Skills Centre added: “Our new partnership with FIS marks a significant step forward for the interior systems and drylining sector. This part of the industry plays a critical role in shaping the internal environments where we live, work, and learn—but it continues to face skills shortages and often flies under the radar as a long-term, rewarding career option. “Joining forces with FIS brings together their sector leadership and our expertise in delivering high-quality, hands-on training. Central to this partnership are our specialist Bootcamps, which are imperative for attracting new talent into the industry. They provide a direct route for individuals—many of whom are new to construction—to gain essential skills, site experience, and the confidence to move straight into employment. “For employers, these Bootcamps open up access to a wider, work-ready talent pool and offer a practical solution to workforce gaps. Together with FIS, we’re not only building stronger pathways into the sector, but also helping to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and skilled future for interior systems and drylining across London and Essex”. Employers can also attend planned visits to the following training centres to meet candidates and see the training in action: If you are an employer interested in attending any of these sessions or would like to support this initiative, please contact Beena Nana at beenanana@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077. For employers interested in finding out more about the Bootcamps and how they can get involved, a dedicated webinar will provide all the information needed to get started. *Actual qualifications delivered may vary based on employer demand at the time of delivery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SEGRO has completed the development of nine new speculatively-built industrial units at Slough Trading Estate, providing highly sustainable space to meet demand from a diverse range of businesses The redevelopment scheme at 136 Edinburgh Avenue has transformed the former single-building into over 107,000 sq ft of high-quality warehouse space. The units have been purposefully designed in a range of sizes, from 2,000 to 10,000 sq ft, to support smaller and growing enterprises, as well as larger units of 32,000 and 45,000 sq ft. SEGRO has seen strong interest in the units, reflecting high demand and limited supply of highly sustainable industrial space in the Thames Valley. Demonstrating SEGRO’s commitment to Championing low-carbon growth, the units boast excellent sustainability credentials, achieving BREEAM Excellent and EPC A+ ratings. Features include air source heat pumps, smart building sensors and controls and over 21,000 sq ft of PV panels generating energy savings of over 350 kWh/Yr and carbon savings of over 42,000 Kg/Co2/Yr. In addition, 20% of parking spaces are equipped with EV charging points and the development offers ample secure bike storage with electric bike chargers to encourage active travel. Anna Bond, Head of Western Corridor at SEGRO, said: “This development demonstrates our commitment to evolving the Slough Trading Estate in line with the needs of modern businesses. “We are already seeing strong demand from occupiers for several units at the development, reinforcing the attractiveness of Slough Trading Estate as a prime business location. The high level of interest before completion underlines the confidence of customers in the quality of our spaces as well as the advantages of being part of a thriving business community.” Slough Trading Estate is the largest privately-owned business park in single ownership in Europe. Over one third of the estate is less than 10 years old. Local amenities including a high street bank, restaurants, shops, fitness facilities and healthcare centres are all within easy reach on the estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Iconic discount retailer B&M is forging ahead with ambitious expansion plans, announcing the opening of 45 new stores across the UK in the year ahead—even as it grapples with a dip in like-for-like sales at home. In the 12 months to 29 March, the retailer reported a 3.1% drop in like-for-like UK sales, falling to £4.5 billion. Sales were also down 2.4% in the final quarter. However, group-wide performance painted a more positive picture, with total sales rising by 3.7% to £5.6 billion. This growth was driven by newly opened stores and a strong trading performance in B&M’s French arm, which helped offset the softer results in the UK market. B&M’s garden, toys, paint and stationery categories helped underpin its UK performance, while the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) segment experienced a decline in like-for-like sales—though it still saw gains in overall value and volume. The company has said steps are being taken to boost performance in this category. Undeterred by the sales slowdown, B&M said its 45 new stores opened over the past year are performing in line with expectations and delivering strong returns—prompting the company to commit to another 45 openings in the year ahead. The new stores are expected to target high-footfall areas such as retail parks and under-served smaller towns, where demand for discount retail remains strong. The company’s group adjusted EBITDA is forecast to land above the midpoint of its £605m to £625m guidance range. Meanwhile, B&M’s board is progressing in its search for a new chief executive to replace Alex Russo, who will retire at the end of the month. An announcement on his successor is expected in the coming weeks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new Freedom of Information request spotlights the UK’s leading universities for building repair and remediation works Recent figures reveal that the maintenance backlog for the Department for Education was in excess of £13.8bn in 2023-24.* The excessive costs spotlight the need for more cost-efficient repair and remediation works of education buildings in the UK, particularly with the discovery of RAAC across several education institutions. To investigate the state of building maintenance across UK universities, SFG20, the industry standard for facility management, submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to universities across the country. They received responses from 61 universities, who were asked to provide information on: total costs spent on repair and remediation works in the most recent financial year; completed repair projects; outstanding projects; and total budgets. From the universities that responded, 904,000 maintenance projects were logged in 2023, however, as of January this year, there were still approximately 76,527 outstanding maintenance requests left to carry out. This demonstrates the sheer volume of maintenance tasks that need to be carried out to keep universities to a safe and habitual standard. The universities that invested the most in building repair and remediation The University of Oxford ranked top position for the university that had invested the most into repair and remediation works across its facilities and buildings, with an overall score of 75.41. As part of their overall ranking, the University of Oxford had one of the highest repair project completion rates of the institutions that responded, with almost 40,000 completed. In the most recent financial year, the University of Oxford spent a total of £18,500,000 on building maintenance projects. With a budget of £26.4 million, they were also the university that came most under budget, reflecting their cost-efficient allocation of resources. The University of Oxford was closely followed by the University of York, which spent a total of £12.8 million on repair and maintenance works in the most recent financial year, approximately £3 million under budget. Universities such as the London School of Economics (53.28), Arts University Bournemouth (53.01), and The Open University (52.73) were categorised into the bronze tier category. The Arts University Bournemouth had the lowest average spend per maintenance request of all the universities that responded to the FOI request at just £23 per request, calculated with their total spend and total maintenance requests completed. The London School of Economics and Edinburgh Napier University, both finished the most recent financial year exactly on budget for repair and remediation works to their buildings, having spent £3.02 million and £1.11 million respectively. Paul Bullard, Product Director at SFG20, on the issue of building maintenance in UK Universities, has said: “Staying significantly under budget on maintenance costs and keeping a low cost per repair request are both strong indicators of a well-structured, proactive maintenance strategy – one that prioritises efficiency and minimises more serious and costly unexpected downtime. To attract and retain the best calibre of staff and students, universities must provide outstanding learning environments, supported by high-quality leisure facilities and living conditions. Even before Covid, we saw a shift towards improving indoor air quality to enhance student focus and well-being. Now, more than ever, delivering a great experience is critical. Well-maintained facilities not only create inspiring spaces for learning but also play a vital role in university recruitment and retention.” The full findings can be found here: https://www.sfg20.co.uk/blog/uk-universities-investment *https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/maintaining-public-service-facilities.pdf Methodology: To investigate the state of building maintenance across UK universities, SFG20 submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to 105 universities, between December 2024 and February 2025, who were asked to provide information on: From 61 responses, universities were ranked based on their answers to each FOI question in comparison to other universities and assigned a score out of 100. The higher the score, the more the institution invested both time and money into the maintenance and upkeep of their buildings. The need for building repair and remediation can be driven by a number of factors, which is why our overall ranking has been derived from several balanced metrics to show how universities compare to one another. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proposals for a new development of 160 homes in Nuneaton will bring a raft of benefits to the local area – providing affordable housing, new public open space and investment into local infrastructure. The proposed Bellway development, to the east of Plough Hill Road, would deliver 40 affordable homes to help address the housing shortage in the borough. A report in 2022 showed that there were more than 3,000 households on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s housing register waiting for an affordable home in the borough. The planning application for the 16-acre site, which has been brought forward by Bellway Strategic Land, includes new public open space, including a children’s play area, natural play trails, footpaths and cycleways to promote outdoor activity for both new and existing residents. Bellway would also deliver improvements to local roads, with traffic calming planned in Plough Hill Road near Galley Common Infant School to reduce traffic speeds and improve safety for pedestrians and children, and improvements to pavements and crossing points along Plough Hill Road and Coleshill Road. In addition, the housebuilder would provide funding towards the planned improvement scheme for the Plough Hill Road/Coleshill Road junction. Chris O’Hanlon, Planning Manager for Bellway Strategic Land, said: “We have worked closely with the local community to listen to their views and ensure our proposals for this sustainable site off Plough Hill Road meet their needs. “This site offers an ideal opportunity to help Nuneaton respond to the shortage of housing in the borough, as well as to promote healthier and more sustainable lifestyles by providing new open space and making roads in the area safer. The development enjoys an accessible location within easy reach of local shops and services, reducing the need to travel by car. “We also anticipate making significant financial contributions towards improvements to local infrastructure as part of the planning agreement for the development. “We have submitted a full planning application at this stage so that, should planning permission be granted, we will be able to press ahead quickly with the delivery of these much-needed new homes.” The new homes would include a mix of 120 one, two, three and four-bedroom properties for private sale, 11 two and three-bedroom homes for shared ownership, and 29 one, two, three and four-bedroom homes for affordable rent. Each of the homes would have solar PV panels to help residents reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions, while 38 per cent of the homes would be accessible or adaptable for wheelchair users. Open space would make up more than a third of the site, and as well as providing space for recreation and social activities, it will also create new wildlife habitats to promote biodiversity. More information about the work of Bellway Strategic Land can be found at https://www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk/. Bellway West Midlands is building new homes across Warwickshire and the wider region, with details available at https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Spectacular drone footage has captured construction progress of high-quality student accommodation at 292-298 St Vincent Street, Glasgow which is on schedule for completion in summer 2026. Developer Artisan Real Estate and Homes for Students, the UK’s largest independent student management company, are partnering with building contractor GRAHAM on the £70 million scheme. The completed development, to be known as St Vincent Studios, will provide 321 high quality self-contained studio apartments together with a range of additional facilities and amenities over 16 floors. This includes a dedicated reception, study rooms and common areas together with private dining, a gym, cinema room, roof terraces and secure internal cycle storage for 160 bikes. The drone footage shows progress on the building’s concrete superstructure is now well underway since construction started in September 2024. “It’s very exciting to see the building coming out of the ground, well on schedule for completion in summer 2026,” says Artisan Real Estate’s Managing Director for Scotland, David Westwater. “The next six months will see a big difference as we complete the concrete frame and floors and look forward to topping out the building. The completed development will meet the urgent need for high-quality purpose-built student accommodation in the city. The site is in a superb city centre location, within easy walking or cycling distance to several higher and further education establishments.” Gary Holmes, Regional Managing Director at GRAHAM Building North, adds: “It’s good to work with Artisan Real Estate to deliver attractive student residences within Glasgow city centre to alleviate the continued demand. Our team is now successfully bringing the development out of the ground, breathing life back into a site which has remained vacant for almost six years.” The completed development will be managed by Homes for Students, the largest independent student management company in the UK. Chief Executive Officer Martin Corbett says: “We are pleased to be working closely with Artisan Real Estate to ensure this will be a best-in-class, purpose-built scheme. We will be creating high-quality accommodation and amenities for students to enjoy, providing an exceptional user experience using the skills of our property team to foster and support student wellbeing whilst closely integrating with the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
