Orka Investments, the London-based investment manager specialising in student accommodation and hotels, has completed the acquisition of Vista Square, a 249-bed PBSA scheme in Liverpool through its joint venture with a top five global real estate investor. The deal follows the purchase of Hill View Place in Exeter earlier this month and takes the joint venture’s portfolio to 1,761 beds across five schemes. Including assets held outside the joint venture, Orka’s wider UK student housing platform now totals 2,329 beds across seven schemes. The joint venture targets income-producing schemes in Russell Group cities, bought below replacement cost, where targeted investment and active asset management can lift performance. Its strategy focuses on driving returns through operational improvements rather than relying solely on rental growth, which has returned to longer-term averages across the sector. Orka works closely with a specialist operator on each scheme, taking an active role in leasing strategy, upgrading the amenity offering and diversifying income beyond the core academic year through semester lets, January intakes and summer stays. Vista Square sits on Oldham Place, on the edge of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter and within walking distance of both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University. The scheme comprises 204 self-contained studios and 45 en-suite rooms in five-bedroom cluster flats, with studios accounting for more than 80% of the units. Residents have access to a sky lounge, roof terrace, gym, sauna, cinema room, study hub and private dining room. The scheme is fully let for the 2026/27 academic year. Liverpool has the UK’s tenth largest full-time student population, at around 55,800, and more than 26,000 of those students are unable to access a purpose-built bed, according to Savills. The city’s student population has grown by 28% over the past decade, while lettings platform UniHomes ranks Liverpool as the UK’s most competitive city for student housing in 2026/27. Vista Square was part-funded through acquisition financing provided by Investec Real Estate. Investec recently financed Orka’s acquisition of Hill View Place in Exeter, reinforcing its ongoing relationship with Orka as the investment manager continues to expand its UK student accommodation platform. Philippe de Croÿ-Solre, Vice President, Investments at Orka Investments, said: “Liverpool has one of the deepest student markets in the country and students there have plenty of choice, so the gap between the best buildings and the rest keeps widening. Demand at the top of the market is moving towards newer schemes with proper amenity and good service, and towards studios in particular. Buildings that have not kept up will find it harder to let.” “At the same time, construction costs and the new building safety regime are holding back development, so much of the next generation of quality student housing will come from upgrading existing schemes. That is where we see the joint venture’s next acquisitions – buildings from earlier development waves where the location is right but the product can benefit from targeted upgrades.” Sebastian Walley, Investec Real Estate, said: “Student accommodation financing opportunities remain attractive where a disciplined borrower is acquiring a high quality asset in a catchment with strong underlying student demand. Liverpool is an established university market, with two large universities, which makes Vista Square a compelling addition to Orka’s portfolio. We are pleased to continue supporting Orka and its joint venture partner as they grow their platform across leading UK university cities.” Orka’s joint venture launched in December 2025 with three acquisitions totalling c.1,300 beds in Birmingham, Glasgow and Aberdeen. It now owns five schemes totalling more than 1,750 beds. The joint venture was advised by Simmons & Simmons (legal) and Colliers (technical and environmental due diligence). Cushman & Wakefield acted for the seller. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Rosita Mendonca, Operations & Marketing Director at J3 Advisory, said: “Across much of the PBSA market, demand and investor interest remain strong, although conditions vary by location and scheme. The opportunity is to translate those fundamentals into deliverable projects that are supported by the right capital, insurance and technical strategy. “New student accommodation has an important role to play in supporting universities, relieving pressure on other parts of the rental market and contributing to investment in towns and cities. The focus should be on creating a dependable route from demand to delivery. “That means making connected decisions early. A funding structure cannot be considered separately from lender requirements, technical due diligence, the structural warranty, the construction programme or the scheme’s long-term operating model. When those elements are aligned, they can support rather than obstruct delivery.” A £60 million, 267-bed development on Old Kent Road in Southwark shows how those dependencies work in practice. Its structural warranty had to align with the construction programme and technical profile, with inspections and outstanding requirements coordinated through to practical completion. J3 says the case demonstrates a wider delivery issue: schemes cannot rely on demand figures alone, and the combination of decisions needed to satisfy funders, insurers and technical stakeholders will differ according to the site, design, procurement route and intended operation. Why delivery risks differ across PBSA schemes The balance of risks will not be the same on every project. Site conditions, design, procurement, lender requirements, ownership and the intended operating model can each change what must be resolved and when. For some developments, the central issue will be demonstrating local demand and an affordable room mix. For others, construction methodology, inspection requirements or the proposed ownership structure may shape the route forward. Identifying those dependencies early allows the design, procurement and funding strategy to respond before they become obstacles to delivery. “Another scheme may involve a different demand profile, delivery partnership, construction method or exit. The lesson is not that every developer should follow the same sequence, but that the relevant commercial and technical considerations need to be understood together and addressed at the right stage for that particular project,” Rosita said. “The long-term fundamentals of PBSA remain compelling, but successful delivery depends on detail. When demand, design, finance, insurance and the operating strategy support one another, developers are better placed to convert opportunity into completed accommodation,” Rosita concluded. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Orka Investments, the London-based real estate investment manager, has completed the acquisition of Hill View Place, a 226-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Exeter, through its joint venture with a global institutional real estate investor. Hill View Place is adjacent to the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus and a short bus ride from the city centre. Opened in 2022, the scheme offers a mix of en-suite rooms, studios, townhouses and penthouse apartments, alongside a gym, cinema lounge, games room, communal lounge and outdoor space. It is fully let for the 2026/27 academic year and boasts a strong historical occupancy. The University of Exeter is a member of the Russell Group and, according to UCAS data for the 2025 admissions cycle, recorded a 15.5% rise in applicants, the largest increase of any Russell Group university. Demand for the most selective universities continues to strengthen nationally. UCAS data for the 2026 cycle show applicants to higher tariff institutions rose 6.9% by the January deadline, well ahead of growth at medium and lower tariff providers. The acquisition was part funded with an acquisition loan from Investec Real Estate, with whom Orka has a long-standing relationship. The facility includes an accordion structure, which will support Orka’s growth ambitions. Orka’s joint venture launched in December 2025 with three acquisitions totalling c.1,300 beds in Birmingham, Glasgow and Aberdeen, with over 80% of beds catering to Russell Group university locations. Hill View Place is the joint venture’s first acquisition since this launch, taking the JV portfolio to 1,512 beds and adding a third Russell Group city alongside Birmingham and Glasgow. Like the seed assets, it is an established, high-quality, income-producing scheme, and it complements the portfolio’s growth into strong university markets. Including assets held outside the joint venture, Orka’s UK student housing platform now totals 2,080 beds across six schemes. Orka invests in operational real estate, principally student accommodation and hotels. Across both asset classes, income comes from individuals who stay in a building rather than from a long lease to a single tenant, so rents reset regularly and returns depend on how well each building is run. In student accommodation, Orka buys existing, income-producing schemes in cities with structural demand, at a discount to what they would cost to build today, and drives performance through active asset management and dedicated scheme-level operations. Raoul Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Orka Investments, said: “The years when student housing could rely on rapid rent growth are behind us, and that changes where returns come from. Students now choose between purpose-built accommodation, shared houses, build to rent and living at home. PBSA cannot always win that competition on price alone, so we win it on product, service and flexibility, and a well-located building like Hill View Place gives us everything we need to do that.” Philippe de Croÿ-Solre, Vice President, Investments at Orka Investments, said: “Hill View Place is a high-quality, fully let scheme in a Russell Group city where applicant numbers are rising faster than anywhere else in the group. We are pleased to have completed it efficiently alongside our partners and advisers, and we have further acquisitions in the pipeline.” Sebastian Walley, Investec Real Estate, said: “The UK remains a global higher education leader, which has underpinned our over 15-year track record funding high-quality, well-located student schemes. We are particularly comfortable supporting sponsors that understand the trends driving customer demand and manage leasing arrangements, as this usually results in a more reliable income stream that performs well across a cycle.” The joint venture was advised by Simmons & Simmons (legal) and Colliers (technical and environmental due diligence). Newmark acted for the vendor. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Watkin Jones has reached a significant construction milestone on Skywalks, a new 204-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Bristol, after celebrating the topping out of the scheme being delivered for a joint venture between Moorfield Group and Tiger Developments. The milestone marks the completion of the building’s principal structural phase, bringing the project another step closer to delivering much-needed student accommodation within Bristol’s rapidly evolving Temple Quarter regeneration district. Comprising four interconnected buildings, Skywalks will provide a mixture of ensuite cluster apartments and self-contained studios, designed to accommodate the changing requirements of students seeking modern, well-connected accommodation. The development is positioned to help address the continued shortage of dedicated student housing in Bristol, where demand remains strong and the delivery of new accommodation is an important consideration for the city’s expanding higher education sector. Once completed, the scheme will be operated by Host Students, the student accommodation management business of Tiger Developments, providing professionally managed accommodation within one of Bristol’s most strategically important regeneration locations. Situated within the wider Temple Quarter regeneration area, Skywalks forms part of the ongoing transformation of a substantial section of the city, where investment in residential, commercial and supporting infrastructure is helping establish a more connected urban environment. The development also reflects the growing importance of sustainability in the design and construction of new student accommodation, with increasingly demanding environmental performance expectations influencing investment and development decisions across the PBSA market. Skywalks is targeting an EPC A rating alongside BREEAM Excellent certification, demonstrating the project team’s commitment to delivering energy-efficient buildings with reduced operational environmental impacts. A range of low-carbon technologies and infrastructure connections will be incorporated into the scheme, including rooftop photovoltaic panels to generate renewable electricity. The development will also connect to Bristol’s district heating network, providing an alternative to conventional individual building heating systems and supporting the city’s wider ambitions to reduce carbon emissions. These measures are intended to improve long-term building performance while supporting more efficient operation and management throughout the development’s lifecycle. For investors and developers operating within the PBSA sector, energy efficiency and environmental credentials have become increasingly important considerations, particularly as operators seek to balance sustainability commitments with the long-term costs of managing student residential buildings. The topping out ceremony brought together representatives from Watkin Jones, Moorfield Group, Tiger Developments and key project partners to recognise the progress achieved and the contribution of those involved in delivering the development. The event also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the construction teams responsible for bringing the four-building scheme through a major stage of its delivery programme. With the principal structural works reaching completion, attention will increasingly turn towards the remaining construction activities, building services installations, internal fit-out and the completion of the accommodation and communal areas. Skywalks adds to the pipeline of purpose-built student accommodation being delivered in major UK university cities, where the availability of high-quality student housing continues to influence development and investment strategies. For Bristol, the project represents another addition to the Temple Quarter regeneration programme, combining new residential accommodation with sustainable building design and investment in an increasingly important part of the city. The development highlights the continued role of specialist contractors, developers and institutional investment partners in delivering modern student accommodation that supports university communities while contributing to the wider regeneration of urban centres. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Fresh has secured three shortlist nominations at the YourMagazine Liverpool Property & Business Awards 2026, recognising the company’s contribution to the student accommodation sector and its continued commitment to delivering exceptional resident experiences across the UK and Ireland. The business has been named as one of just 10 finalists for Best Student Housing Operator, while two Liverpool schemes managed by Fresh have both been shortlisted in the Best Student Accommodation Development category, where Benson Yard and Calico are among just nine finalists competing for the award. The prestigious awards celebrate excellence across Liverpool City Region’s property and business sectors, recognising the organisations, developments and individuals helping to shape the region’s continued growth and success. The awards ceremony will take place at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool & Rum Warehouse on Wednesday 25 November, bringing together leaders from across the property, development, construction and business communities to celebrate another year of achievement. The triple shortlist recognition highlights Fresh’s growing impact within Liverpool’s student accommodation market. The nominations for Benson Yard and Calico acknowledge two standout student communities that have strengthened the city’s accommodation offer, while the Best Student Housing Operator nomination reflects Fresh’s wider commitment to creating vibrant communities, delivering outstanding customer experiences and driving operational excellence. Located in the heart of Liverpool, Benson Yard provides more than 400 student beds in a modern, community-focused environment designed to support both academic success and student wellbeing. The property currently holds a 4.26 out of 5 rating on StudentCrowd, reflecting positive resident feedback and satisfaction. Meanwhile, Calico offers more than 730 student beds, making it one of Liverpool’s largest purpose-built student accommodation communities. Designed around communal living, resident wellbeing and premium amenities, the property currently holds a 4.51 out of 5 rating on StudentCrowd. Together, the two developments demonstrate Fresh’s approach to student living, combining high-quality accommodation with engaging resident experiences, dedicated support and opportunities for students to build meaningful connections throughout their university journey. With Liverpool continuing to attract tens of thousands of students each year, the provision of high-quality accommodation remains a vital part of supporting the city’s higher education sector and wider economy. The shortlist recognition highlights the important role purpose-built student accommodation plays in helping students thrive while contributing to Liverpool’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading university destinations. Fresh is a leading student accommodation operator and management platform, creating communities that people genuinely want to call home. Operating in more than 55 locations across the UK and Ireland, the business provides students with a wide range of accommodation options, including en suite rooms, studios and shared apartments, supported by dedicated onsite teams and resident-first services. Lindsey Cullen, Operations Director at Fresh, said: “To receive three shortlist nominations is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved. Liverpool is an incredibly important city for Fresh, and we’re proud to play a role in delivering accommodation and communities that help students feel supported, connected and able to succeed during their time at university.” “Being named one of only 10 finalists for Best Student Housing Operator, alongside seeing both Benson Yard and Calico recognised among just nine shortlisted developments, is something we’re extremely proud of. The nominations reflect the hard work, passion and expertise of our teams, who go above and beyond to create exceptional experiences for our residents every day.” “The recognition for Benson Yard and Calico highlights the quality of the student communities we’ve helped create in Liverpool, while the operator nomination acknowledges our wider commitment to delivering outstanding service, wellbeing support and vibrant communities across our portfolio.” The nominations add to a strong year for Fresh as the business continues to invest in innovative resident experiences, operational excellence and best-in-class accommodation across its portfolio. Organised by YM Liverpool, the Liverpool Property & Business Awards celebrate excellence across the region’s property, construction, development and professional services sectors. Winners will be announced at the ceremony on 25 November 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Fabrix and PATRIZIA have appointed McLaren Construction as main contractor for Walworth Corners, a 134,000 sq ft PBSA development at 182–202 Walworth Road in Elephant & Castle, and the first development being delivered through their London living joint venture. With unanimous planning consent secured in November 2024, the £55m construction contract will see the 0.34‑hectare brownfield site transformed to provide 283 student beds, 20 new affordable homes for social rent, retail and community space. Enabling works are underway, with completion targeted for Spring 2028. Walworth Corners is the first development being delivered through the joint venture established by Fabrix and PATRIZIA in 2025 with more than £100 million of investment capacity focussed on alternative living and affordable housing that responds to London’s housing needs while creating wider social and environmental value. PATRIZIA provides institutional equity to the partnership as part of its wider pan-European strategy to invest in sustainable and affordable housing. Earlier this year, Fabrix secured a £69.5m green loan from Aviva Investors in development financing for the project, bringing together institutional equity and debt to move the scheme into delivery. Designed by Howells through planning and RIBA Stage 3, with AFK as delivery architect, the scheme combines high-quality new construction with the targeted retention and extension of part of the existing concrete frame fronting Walworth Road. This will enable delivery of a new build quality scheme while reducing structural embodied carbon emissions by an estimated 21%. The all‑electric, nature‑positive development targets BREEAM Excellent, delivering 144% biodiversity net gain across the site and incorporating extensive green and blue roofs to support climate resilience and on‑site ecology. Filling an entire block at an important intersection of the historic London high street, the project will recast the building as an open, welcoming destination that supports Walworth’s existing and emerging communities. The scheme will turn what was a derelict and poor-quality retail frontage into an attractive and meaningful asset for the area, centred on community, food, and nature. Almost the entire ground floor will be public‑facing, with a 2,600 sq ft community kitchen co‑created with local charity Pembroke House, 5,100 sq ft new high‑street retail, and a publicly accessible 6,240 sq ft courtyard garden, bringing new activity and social infrastructure to the heart of Walworth Road. A new pedestrian route will improve permeability through the 60‑metre‑long site and draw people into the courtyard garden, designed by RHS Chelsea Flower ’Best-in-Show’-winning Harris Bugg Studio. Louis Duffield, Partner at Fabrix, said: “McLaren’s appointment is an important milestone for Walworth Corners and for the growth of our living portfolio. We have an exceptional team in place and are excited to be moving into construction on a development that will deliver much needed student accommodation and affordable homes alongside genuinely useful spaces for the wider community. “With institutional equity managed by PATRIZIA alongside Fabrix, together with £69.5m of development financing from Aviva Investors, Walworth Corners demonstrates our ability to structure, fund and deliver institutional quality living projects in London. We have a strong pipeline and want to do more with capital partners and landowners who share our ambition to create high quality, enduring places.” Tony Whyte, Divisional Director at McLaren Construction, said: “This project is an exemplar of sustainable, mixed-use development, combining the careful retention of part of the existing structure with high-quality new construction to create long-term social, economic and environmental value. By making efficient use of a centrally-located brownfield site, the development will deliver much-needed new homes, high-quality student accommodation and enhanced community facilities, while bringing increased footfall and vitality to an important high street. We recognise that the local community and surrounding assets are of great importance to Fabrix, and McLaren is equally committed to ensuring these relationships remain at the forefront of the project. We will continue to work closely and collaboratively with stakeholders throughout the construction phase, maintaining open communication and minimising disruption wherever possible. Our focus will be on delivering a high-quality development that not only meets its objectives but also leaves a lasting positive legacy for the area.” Marleen Bekkers, Fund Manager at PATRIZIA, commented:“Moving Walworth Corners into construction shows how institutional capital can translate into new homes in markets like London, where the need for housing remains significant. It is part of a wider strategy through which PATRIZIA is supporting the delivery of much-needed housing in markets across Europe.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

GRAHAM has secured full Gateway 2 building control approval for the University of Manchester’s £530 million Fallowfield Campus redevelopment, clearing all 29 buildings within the major PBSA scheme to progress into construction. The milestone covers the entire 3,300-room student accommodation development, including seven buildings classified as higher-risk under the Building Safety Act because they reach at least 18 metres or seven storeys. Gateway 2 approval has now been secured for all seven higher-risk buildings, alongside approval for the remaining 22 lower-rise blocks, representing a significant regulatory achievement for one of the UK’s largest student residential developments. The project team adopted an early approach to the new building safety regime, submitting its first application to the Building Safety Regulator several months before planning approval was secured. Neil McFarlane, strategic development director at GRAHAM Investment Projects, said: “Reaching Gateway 2 approval across the whole of Fallowfield Campus is a huge achievement for the entire project team. “We submitted our first application to the Building Safety Regulator several months ahead of planning approval, and that early, proactive approach to design and fire safety has been central to getting here.” Fallowfield Campus is being delivered through a 50-year partnership between the University of Manchester, Equitix, GRAHAM and Rothesay, combining major investment in new student accommodation with ambitious long-term energy and sustainability objectives. The first 1,000 student rooms are scheduled to open in 2028, with the remaining accommodation expected to be completed by 2030. Beyond its scale, the project is targeting recognition as the world’s largest single-phase Passivhaus-certified purpose-built student accommodation development. Operational energy consumption is expected to be around 50% lower than a conventional new-build student accommodation scheme, placing building performance at the centre of the design and construction strategy. Modern methods of construction are also playing an important role in delivering the 29-building campus. Techrete is manufacturing approximately 4,150 precast façade panels across its production facilities in Balbriggan, Ireland, and North Lincolnshire. The low-carbon concrete panels will incorporate reconstructed stone and clay brick finishes, while their structural and insulation layers are being manufactured as single sandwich units. The approach brings significant elements of the façade construction into a controlled factory environment before installation on site. The combination of offsite manufacturing, Passivhaus principles and early engagement with the Building Safety Regulator demonstrates the increasingly complex technical and regulatory environment surrounding the delivery of major PBSA developments. For the University of Manchester, the £530 million programme represents a substantial investment in the future of its student residential estate. For the wider construction sector, Fallowfield is emerging as an important example of how large-scale student accommodation can combine modern construction methods, enhanced building safety requirements and demanding operational energy targets. With Gateway 2 approval now secured across all 29 blocks, the project has reached a major delivery milestone as GRAHAM and its partners push ahead with one of the UK’s most ambitious new PBSA developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Alumno has marked a significant milestone in the construction of its new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development Woodlands Point on St George’s Road in Glasgow, celebrating the topping out of the six-storey, 262-bed residence. The topping out ceremony marks the completion of the building’s main structural frame and represents an important step towards delivering much-needed student accommodation in the city. The ceremony was attended by representatives from Alumno, Henderson Park, international private equity real estate firm, and the main contractor Clark Contracts and members of the wider project team.  Located in Glasgow’s west end, close to the city centre, Woodlands Point sits within the vibrant Woodlands district, one of the city’s most established student neighbourhoods. With local shops, bars, restaurants and cultural venues nearby, the scheme has been designed to become part of the existing neighbourhood while responding to the significant demand for student accommodation in Glasgow. The six-storey development will provide a mix of four and five-bed cluster flats and studio apartments, alongside a range of shared amenities. These include a ground-floor common room, sixth-floor dining, study and lounge spaces, and landscaped courtyard areas to the rear. David Campbell, CEO of Alumno, said: “The topping out stage is always exciting as you can really start to see the building and the community it will form. Student accommodation should always feel like part of a neighbourhood, not separate from it and we have worked hard to understand what makes Woodlands Point special and to create a place where students can feel at home, connect with one another and engage with the wider community. We are delighted to reach this milestone and look forward to seeing the project progress towards completion.” Mrinal Jalan, Managing Director at Henderson Park, commented: “Reaching this milestone is an important step towards delivering a high-quality student accommodation scheme in one of the UK’s most sought-after university markets. This project stood out to us due to its excellent location in Glasgow’s West End. Together with Alumno and Clark Contracts, we are creating a modern development that will provide students with a best-in-class living experience while helping to address the growing demand for high-quality accommodation in the city.” Michael Scanlan, Director, Clark Contracts said: “It’s fantastic to reach the topping out stage at St George’s Road and celebrate the progress made on site. This milestone is the result of the dedication shown by everyone involved in the project and demonstrates the strong partnership between Clark Contracts, Alumno and the wider design team. As well as helping address the demand for student accommodation in Glasgow, this development will create a high-quality place for students to live and become part of the local community. We look forward to completing the next phases of construction and delivering a project that will make a positive contribution to the city.” The project is funded by Henderson Park, an international private equity real estate firm, and the professional team includes Stallan Brand Architects, RankinFraser Landscape Architecture, Will Rudd Davidson, Ridge and Partners and Sound Advice Acoustics. With the main structure now complete, works will continue the building’s façade, interiors and landscaping, with completion scheduled ahead of the 2027 academic year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Offsite light gauge steel frame took the superstructure of the £100m Stoke-on-Trent scheme from start to finish in 32 weeks NATIONAL tier one contractor Willmott Dixon has completed the new Student Village at the University of Staffordshire, a 1000-bed development in Stoke-on-Trent whose superstructure was delivered in 32 weeks using an offsite light gauge steel frame system. The £100 million scheme has been delivered under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate (DBFO) model by a consortium of Willmott Dixon, HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions UK and Ireland, Plenary and Pinnacle Group, working with the university. Project and industry partners were given a preview of the completed village ahead of the first residents moving in for the new academic year. The modern methods of construction (MMC) strategy centred on a fully integrated light gauge steel frame (LGSF) solution, manufactured offsite and assembled on site across six residential buildings. As well as compressing the superstructure programme to 32 weeks, the approach held manufacturing tolerances to 5mm across the development. At the centre of the site is a £12 million student hub, designed to be net zero carbon in operation. Across four levels it provides individual and group study areas, social and welfare facilities, a landscaped garden lounge and a double-height events hall. A new pedestrian bridge and boardwalk will link the village to the university’s wider Leek Road site, where demolition will make way for accessible parkland targeting a 12% biodiversity net gain. The 1000-bed development also included the refurbishment of 300 rooms at The Swan Building, upgrading the living space and installing low-energy systems to improve the block’s energy performance. The work was programmed over the summer months so that the university retained its accommodation capacity and avoided any loss of room income. The DBFO model allows the university to spread the cost over a 50-year period while retaining flexibility during construction. Early engagement between the consortium and the university meant the scheme was delivered for the same £100 million agreed at the outset, with the entry cost and the exit cost matching. The project has also delivered wider social value for the local area, including 1,000 students engaged through education programmes, 500 weeks of careers support, community volunteering and charity initiatives and mental health awareness campaigns with Lighthouse Charity. Dan Doyle, delivery director at Willmott Dixon, said: “The ambition here was never simply to build more accommodation. It was to create an inclusive student community, with sustainable, future-ready buildings on a campus that attracts and retains students, and to support the university’s long-term plans for sustainability, wellbeing and growth. “Getting the superstructure up in 32 weeks came from taking the offsite decision early and holding to it, and that same early engagement is why the university has paid what it expected to pay. Pace and cost certainty together are what universities are asking of us.” Steve Rimell, chief financial officer at the University of Staffordshire, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the Student Village project, and as CFO I am particularly pleased that it was delivered on time and on budget. The student hub is going to be extremely impactful for student amenities and wellbeing, and as a way of connecting the accommodation with our main campus. “Our students were involved from the start, helping to shape the design from the early stages, allowing us to create a new space for them that prioritises community, inclusion and wellbeing.” Ian Prescott, managing director (UK) at HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions, said: “The opening of the Student Village is the culmination of a fantastic partnership and a shared ambition to create an outstanding place for students to live. “Together, we’ve delivered a sustainable, modern development that will enhance the student experience for years to come while creating a lasting asset for the University and the wider Stoke-on-Trent community.” Dan Doyle continued: “This scheme is a strong example of what is possible when universities, developers and delivery partners come together with a shared vision and a collaborative approach.” The Student Village adds to Willmott Dixon’s higher and further education portfolio, which includes two major projects for Queen Mary University of London, the £48.8m School of Business and Management and the retrofit and extension of its Information Teaching Laboratory, the £19.3m first phase of Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys Campus redevelopment in Newport, and Bridgend College’s net zero in operation town centre campus. The student village will welcome its first residents in time for the new student intake in September 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HG Construction has secured a £76 million contract to deliver a major student accommodation and affordable housing development at Bollo Yard in South Acton, West London. Appointed by developer Hurlington Capital, HG Construction will deliver two residential blocks close to Acton Town station, combining a 21-storey student tower with a separate affordable housing building. The development will provide 429 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds alongside 95 affordable homes, creating a significant new mixed-tenure residential scheme in the London Borough of Ealing. Construction is moving forward following Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator, an increasingly important milestone for higher-risk residential developments before building work can commence. HG Construction secured Gateway 2 approval for Block AB in just 22 weeks, enabling the contractor and development team to progress into the main construction phase. The project has been supported by a £112 million development finance package secured by Hurlington Capital and its joint venture partner V-Fund. Ealing Council has separately agreed a £29 million deal to acquire all 95 affordable homes, which will be made available at social rent. The combination of purpose-built student accommodation and social housing provides the scheme with a diverse residential mix, while its location close to Acton Town Underground station offers strong public transport connections across West London and into central London. HG Construction will draw on a number of its in-house specialist businesses during delivery, including its piling, crane, mechanical and electrical and offsite pod operations. The integrated approach will give the contractor greater control over several key construction packages while supporting coordination across the high-rise development. DMWR Architects is leading the technical design for Bollo Yard, while KS4 is providing project management, cost consultancy and employer’s agent services. The project adds to a growing pipeline of purpose-built student accommodation being delivered across London as developers respond to continued demand for professionally managed student housing. Importantly, the South Acton development will also deliver a substantial package of new social rented homes alongside the student accommodation. For HG Construction, the £76 million contract further strengthens its presence in the capital’s high-rise residential and PBSA markets, with the contractor bringing its specialist construction and offsite capabilities to another complex urban development. With regulatory approval and development finance now secured, Bollo Yard is set to transform the South Acton site with more than 500 new student and affordable homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals