Following the recent planning approval of a new mixed-use student accommodation development in central Brighton, developer McLaren Property reveals what the local community can expect from the scheme. Located on London Road, within Brighton’s regeneration area, the development will see an outdated building being replaced with new sustainable retail units
Study Inn Group, the luxury hotel-style student accommodation owner, developer, and operator, has joined forces with the UK’s student mental health charity, Student Minds, to enhance student mental health support across its centres. The partnership will see Study Inn’s residents access mental health and wellbeing resources and engagement activities. The
700-bed development is granted planning approval by Nottingham City Council The development aims to be net-zero carbon once open, running on 100% renewable electricity Unite Students, the UK’s leading owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation, has been granted planning approval for a new 700-bed development at Derby Road,
The development situated less than 200 yards away from the Manchester Metropolitan University campus, will consist of the construction of 62 studio apartments. GMI Construction has commenced works on a new nine-storey Student Accommodation development, for client Alumno Group, at a site near the Manchester Metropolitan University campus in Manchester
The multi award-winning student accommodation brand true student will open its doors to guests in Swansea this September, offering an unrivalled, all-inclusive living experience that’s set to shake up the way students have been living in the city. The landmark £90 million development will boast 706 luxurious bedrooms across four
Multi award-winning student accommodation brand true student has been confirmed to operate and manage a landmark £100 million student accommodation development opening for guests this September. Occupying a prime 1.14-acre site on Erskine Street, the 999-bed development, within walking distance of both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores
Two student accommodation projects set for completion for the 2022/23 academic year have secured the required forward funding of £43.8 million by major diversified real estate investor Barings. Managed by award-winning developer Alumno, the properties will provide must needed accommodation for students based in Manchester and Bermondsey in London.
Liverpool’s latest student accommodation development, Natex, has achieved a key construction milestone as it reaches its highest point, nine months before it opens to students. Mount Property Group’s £45million, 574-unit development, with its unrivalled views across Liverpool’s historic St George’s Quarter and the city beyond from its upper floors, has
National-contractor Tolent has handed over a new £12.5m student accommodation scheme on Burley Street in Leeds. Known as Union, the development has created 87 extremely spacious and thoroughly modern studio apartments within easy walking distance of both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, as well as Leeds city
Leading consulting engineer Howard Ward Associates (HWA) has assisted in the completion of phase one of The Oaks – a significant student development close to the University of Warwick. The building, known as Oaks 1, is located less than a kilometre from the University of Warwick to the south west
Following the recent planning approval of a new mixed-use student accommodation development in central Brighton, developer McLaren Property reveals what the local community can expect from the scheme. Located on London Road, within Brighton’s regeneration area, the development will see an outdated building being replaced with new sustainable retail units and student apartments. McLaren Property is working alongside Morgan Carn Architects and engineering consultancy Howard Ward Associates (HWA) to deliver the five-storey build, which will feature 156 student bedrooms with a reception area and communal interior and exterior spaces. New retail units will make up the ground floor of the development, presenting an entirely refreshed shop frontage which holds a prominent position among London Road’s high street stores. Part of the New England Quarter and London Road Development Area, where regeneration is actively encouraged by Brighton & Hove City Council, the new scheme will see the former Marks and Spencer site completely transformed – complete with a 24/7 security presence to manage the building. As part of the environmentally friendly design, the building will achieve a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating of ‘Excellent’ and will feature solar panels on a green roof. Further sustainable features include air source heat pumps as its primary heat source and planted outdoor spaces – including trees – which will be maintained using recycled rainwater. The development will also be car-free and have cycle route access and storage spaces. The demand for quality, affordable student accommodation in Brighton continues to be a pertinent issue, with only 25% of the city’s student community living in purpose-built student housing. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, students have a preference towards living in dedicated accommodation with larger living spaces, premium Wi-Fi, 24-hour security and communal areas, rather than living in HMOs (housing of multiple occupancy), McLaren Property says. The new purpose-built London Road development could also free up some of the many former family homes that have been converted into HMOs to house students, potentially allowing local residents to stay in Brighton and attracting new house hunters to the area. Midlands-based HWA has been appointed to provide structural engineering to the project, with construction due to begin in Mid 2022. “We are really pleased to be working with McLaren on the London Road development following planning approval – transforming what is currently an inefficient and underutilised site into much-needed student accommodation and fresh new retail units,” said Dan Bailey, director at HWA. “The site presents a great opportunity to enhance the local area and contribute dramatically to the ongoing regeneration efforts on both sides of the site. We have been involved with the planning and design for this build since the beginning, working with McLaren Property, to provide our civil and structural engineering expertise to this scheme through the pre purchase and pre planning project stages.” Brighton’s student population sits at almost 34,000, with the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex proving to be popular choices for studying. The new city centre London Road development lies just one mile away from the University of Brighton’s main city campus.
Study Inn Group, the luxury hotel-style student accommodation owner, developer, and operator, has joined forces with the UK’s student mental health charity, Student Minds, to enhance student mental health support across its centres. The partnership will see Study Inn’s residents access mental health and wellbeing resources and engagement activities. The Group will also invest in Student Minds’ Student Mental Health in Accommodation Settings training course for its Guest Relations and Centre Managers team, as well as fundraising campaigns. Furthermore, Study Inn is currently recruiting for a Student Experience Manager role which will focus on developing and delivering initiatives and strategies to further boost its resident students’ experience. Study Inn Group has focused on resident wellbeing since its inception in 2009 and its latest generation of properties re-affirm the Group’s deep-rooted focus on student wellbeing and life experience. The Group’s state-of-the-art communal facilities include wellness spa; sauna and steam room; hot beds; gym and yoga studio; cinema room; pool and table tennis, which contribute to students’ wellbeing and facilitate interaction amongst residents. Study Inn also runs an industry leading monthly social events programme with plenty of opportunities to learn something new and de-stress. Due to the current pandemic, these events are taking place virtually with a wide range of themes including fitness workouts; yoga and meditation classes; craft classes, cooking lessons; climate change webinars; and poetry reading to name a few. Study Inn’s residents also benefit from extra services including weekly welfare checks; 24/7 on-site management; pastoral care; and superfast Wi-fi to support online learning at no additional cost so that students feel safe and supported throughout their stay. The group currently ranks #1 for best student accommodation provider in Bristol, Nottingham and Loughborough on student community platform Student Crowd, a website that helps students make informed decisions based on trustworthy reviews. Commenting on the partnership, Matt Shakespeare, Managing Director at Study Inn said: “Students have been faced with unique challenges to university life during the coronavirus pandemic and we are focused on increasing our support so residents can thrive during their university years. We chose Student Minds as our official charity partner because their expertise and experience in student mental health will guide us in this important mission.” Alice Cooper, Corporate Funding Officer at Student Minds commented, “We are delighted to welcome Study Inn on board as part of our corporate partnership family. We’re very grateful for Study Inn’s support and look forward to shaping our partnership over the next year to champion student mental health together. Thank you to the Study Inn team for your support!”
700-bed development is granted planning approval by Nottingham City Council The development aims to be net-zero carbon once open, running on 100% renewable electricity Unite Students, the UK’s leading owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation, has been granted planning approval for a new 700-bed development at Derby Road, Nottingham. The development, which is located adjacent to the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus, is planned to open in time for the 2023/24 academic year. The total development costs will be £57 million. It will consist of 661cluster flats with en-suite bathrooms and 39 studio apartments. The development aims to be net-zero carbon once open, running on 100% renewable electricity with solar panels installed on the roof and an all-electric heating system, including air-source heat pumps. The new complex, which is a former car showroom site, will also provide a commercial building for external use. Additionally, there will be extensive green public open space, as well as substantial biodiversity improvements to the land around the property, with improved access to the River Leen. Nick Hayes, Unite Students’ Group Property Director, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning approval for this exciting development, which allows us to deliver high-quality student accommodation that complements the surrounding area. “The development supports our strategy of increasing our alignment to the strongest universities and will help to deliver operational efficiencies through greater scale in Nottingham.”
The development situated less than 200 yards away from the Manchester Metropolitan University campus, will consist of the construction of 62 studio apartments. GMI Construction has commenced works on a new nine-storey Student Accommodation development, for client Alumno Group, at a site near the Manchester Metropolitan University campus in Manchester City Centre. The project valued at £5.5 Million will consist of the construction of 62 self-contained studio apartments that will feature their own kitchenette and bathroom. Each floor will typically feature eight studio apartments together with a communal area for residents. On the ground floor of the development which has been designed by Ben Kelly, the iconic designer of the world-famous Hacienda Nightclub in Manchester facilities will include a reception/concierge and ‘The Wash Bar’, together with a plant room and associated facilities needed to support the buildings operation. There will also be storage allocated for bikes. Construction commenced on site at the beginning of March with the first resident expected to move in by the summer of 2022. Speaking about the project David Campbell, Managing Director of Alumno Group said: “We are absolutely delighted to be on site with the team at GMI. The site is within the Manchester Metropolitan University campus boundary and just a five-minute walk from the University of Manchester. It will be an excellent bespoke and modern student community hub. We have high hopes that this will set a new benchmark in this location and enhance the choice available to students, who continue to make Manchester a major destination for both study and the excellent student experience.” Also commenting about the project GMI Divisional Managing Director Marc Banks said: “This project will regenerate a once uninhabited space into a vibrant and contemporary residential hub for students to thrive in and enhance their University Experience and so we are delighted to be working with our valued client Alumno Group and Consultants on this impressive new residential development. With the interior of the development featuring designs by iconic Manchester designer Ben Kelly, the development is set to become a dynamic and creative environment for students to enhance their University Experience. For further information visit: http://alumnogroup.com/projects/
The multi award-winning student accommodation brand true student will open its doors to guests in Swansea this September, offering an unrivalled, all-inclusive living experience that’s set to shake up the way students have been living in the city. The landmark £90 million development will boast 706 luxurious bedrooms across four unique blocks securely interlinked with fantastic outdoor & courtyard spaces, totaling a prime 2.85-acre site. The sheer size and scale of true Swansea ensures no comparison when it comes to students finding a home and lifestyle to create lifelong memories, relationships and opportunities. “We’re delighted, proud & excited to be bringing our multi award-winning offering to Swansea. This development is our most ambitious yet and we are raising the bar even higher, setting new standards & expectations for student living. true Swansea will exemplify the trueLife™ experience through innovative design & services, delivering market leading student accommodation whilst also providing a compelling programme of opportunities focused on wellbeing, community and personal development to leave our guests, teams and partners feeling energized, connected and inspired,” commented Ben Morley, Managing Director of true student. Situated on Morfa Road overlooking the River Tawe in the heart of the Hafod Copperworks area, true Swansea is conveniently located North East of the city centre, providing easy access to both of Swansea’s universities, transport, leisure and retail facilities with a new dedicated bus stop constructed at the entrance. Swansea Bay, the Maritime Quarter and marina are only a short walk away – making it the ultimate base for all with regular connections across the city and stunning Gower coastline. Swansea University’s waterfront campuses make it one of the country’s most desirable locations for students from around the world, yet the supply of high-quality purpose-built student accommodation in the city to date remains relatively low with little choice to meet the surging demand of record growing student numbers. So much more than just renting a bedroom, guests of true Swansea will benefit from incredible all-inclusive, on site amenities with the amazing festival zone, legendary slide, cwtchy picture house, multiple themed sky lounges, dedicated library & quiet study areas, pantry and café, come dine with me kitchens, welcome hub, managed laundry, secure parking and cycle storage as well as a game changing 24/7 wellbeing centre – packed full with state of the art equipment and latest trend purposed fitness zones and studios for 1:1, small and large group classes supported by personal training partners. true Swansea offers students an all-inclusive living experience that puts opportunity at its heart, also offering free cleaning, unlimited printing, all-inclusive bills, insurance, lightning-fast Wi-Fi, plus an amazing trueLife™ events calendar packed full of opportunities to learn and have fun all within the price of rent. Owned by The Bricks Group, who currently operate across student, co-living and hotel sectors, the experience-led true student brand already manages more than 4,500 beds across the UK.
Multi award-winning student accommodation brand true student has been confirmed to operate and manage a landmark £100 million student accommodation development opening for guests this September. Occupying a prime 1.14-acre site on Erskine Street, the 999-bed development, within walking distance of both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, will bring a unique offering to Liverpool’s vibrant student market. Liverpool remains one of the UK’s most popular locations for both UK and international students, creating a high demand for accommodation in the heart of the city, and yet the supply of high-quality purpose-built student accommodation within the city still remains relatively low. Fittingly situated within the Knowledge Quarter, true Liverpool will typify the brand’s core pillars of health, community and experience in order to become firmly established as the first choice for all-inclusive luxury student accommodation within the city. “We’re excited to be bringing our award-winning offering to Liverpool. The expansion into Liverpool’s thriving domestic and international student market marks another step in establishing the brand as a major player in the PBSA management arena. true Liverpool will exemplify the trueLife experience, working hard to not only provide world-class student accommodation but to support and encourage our student guests through a market-leading programme of opportunities focused on wellbeing and personal development,” said Ben Morley, Managing Director of true student. Guests will benefit from high-quality shared apartments and individual suites, enjoying a wide range of amenities which include a state-of-the-art gym, study rooms, a festival zone and cinema room, as well as a unique top floor sky lounge and terrace, offering stunning 360° panoramic views across the City. Wellbeing and mental health support are key aspects of the brand’s offering, along with free cleaning, all-inclusive bills and much more, and guests will also enjoy the amazing trueLifeevents calendar, packed full of compelling opportunities to learn, discover and explore. Owned by The Bricks Group, who currently operate across student, co-living and hotel sectors, the experience-led true student brand already operates more than 3,500 beds across the UK. Historically developer-operators, true Liverpool will mark the brand’s first engagement as property managers mid-construction, allowing the team to put the ‘true student’ stamp on a part-built development and optimise the rooms and spaces, creating the unique true student experience.
Two student accommodation projects set for completion for the 2022/23 academic year have secured the required forward funding of £43.8 million by major diversified real estate investor Barings. Managed by award-winning developer Alumno, the properties will provide must needed accommodation for students based in Manchester and Bermondsey in London. The 4,600 square metre project on Bermondsey Spa Gardens is Alumno’s fourth development in the London Borough of Southwark and will provide fully integrated facilities for 143 students. These include high-quality rooms with shared amenities, such as a basement cinema lounge, study room and community area. The site is located close to Bermondsey underground station with good access to several world renowned higher educational institutions. HG Construction, which recently completed Alumno`s latest project in Norwich, has been appointed as the main contractor. In line with Alumno’s policy of delivering key benefits to the local communities adjacent to its projects, the developer is working with a Bermondsey nursery to help with a historical legacy book, as well as refurbishing a playground, and collaborating on an innovative wayfinding scheme to help visually impaired students find their way around the area. The 1,449 square metre central Manchester development will comprise 62 studio apartments, along with a communal area, rooftop terrace, office and feature storage space for 12 bikes. It is located within the campus of Manchester Metropolitan University, with the Manchester University Campus close by. Alumno is also partnering with charity One Manchester to raise £50,000 for local projects, and is again helping to fund a wayfinding project. GMI Construction Group has been appointed the main contractor on this scheme. In both cases, Alumno will commission new art to enhance the public spaces around each building, another trademark of all its developments. “We are absolutely delighted to have concluded this agreement with Barings, a world leading real estate investor,” said David Campbell, Founder and Managing Director of Alumno. “This is a huge boost for our business coming into 2021. It also highlights the confidence in bringing forward major investment into the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector, which has again demonstrated its resilience during these challenging times.” Commenting on the funding, Darren Hutchinson, Managing Director – Head of UK Real Estate Transactions at Barings, said: “These are two high-quality PBSA assets in very strong locations in London and Manchester. Both London and Manchester are undersupplied markets supported by strong universities and a deep occupier demand. We are excited to work with Alumno to create well-designed, contemporary accommodation that will appeal to a wide range of students.”
Liverpool’s latest student accommodation development, Natex, has achieved a key construction milestone as it reaches its highest point, nine months before it opens to students. Mount Property Group’s £45million, 574-unit development, with its unrivalled views across Liverpool’s historic St George’s Quarter and the city beyond from its upper floors, has reached full height with a topping out ceremony marking the occasion. International property investment firm, Mount Property Group, acquired the landmark site of the former National Express bus station in 2018, and appointed Barton PM as management contractor for the Falconer Chester Hall designed scheme. Providing a home-from-home for the students of Liverpool, Natex features two towers of 16 and 10-storeys, containing 574 student beds split between 493 cluster units and 81 studios. The development will offer not only offer superior, high-end living spaces for its customers, but the communal facilities a modern student expects, including private study rooms, impressive social spaces, a fully kitted out gym, laundry rooms and landscaped gardens for students to enjoy. Michael Chrysokhou, managing director of Mount, said “Whilst a challenge, the past year has proven how resilient both the construction and student market is, so I’m delighted to start the new year with such positive news and we look forward to entering the final stages of completion and opening the doors to our student customers for the next academic year.” The construction milestone also coincides with Barton’s two-year trading anniversary, during which time the fledgling business has made its mark in the north west, working for Mount on Natex and also Innovo House; the 124-unit scheme in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter. Matt Fawcett, managing director at Barton Group Services and Barton PM, commented “Natex has become a striking addition to the Liverpool cityscape and topping out not only marks a key programme milestone, but gives us a chance to celebrate the hard work and collaboration of the entire project team to reach this stage. “We’ve been fortunate to continue works on site during the majority of 2020, with Covid-safe procedures in place for our operatives and sub-contractors. With the internal fit-out on Block A well underway there is a huge amount of activity currently on site and the momentum will continue early this year with the fit-out commencing on Block B.” Natex is scheduled for completion in July 2021, in anticipation of students starting the new academic year in September.
National-contractor Tolent has handed over a new £12.5m student accommodation scheme on Burley Street in Leeds. Known as Union, the development has created 87 extremely spacious and thoroughly modern studio apartments within easy walking distance of both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, as well as Leeds city centre. Built on behalf of Burley Place Ltd (BPL), the seven storey building used 5,700 tonnes of concrete and over 55,000 bricks to create its structure. John Currie, regional director for Tolent, said: “Union has been a fantastic project to work on and our teams can be really proud of what they have achieved. We’ve completed over 3,000 student accommodation schemes across several major cities including Leeds, York, Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester and this project is another fantastic development to put our name to. “This was our first project with BPL and having received such positive feedback on the quality and collaborative working on site, we hope to work with the team again in the future.” All the apartments benefit from en-suite luxury bathrooms, modern kitchens, entertaining space, double beds, contemporary furniture, flat screen TVs and high-speed fibre optic internet. The development also includes several wheelchair friendly apartments. Hamze Idriss, managing director of Burley Place Ltd, said: “Union will set a new benchmark in terms of the standard of accommodation on offer and the lifestyle students who live here will enjoy. “Every apartment has been specifically designed to combine spacious living areas with their own high quality kitchens and luxury bathrooms. There is also a superb range of facilities within the development, including a gym, gaming areas, and large communal lounges and kitchens where students can relax and socialise. As a result, it’s proving very popular with students who are already reserving apartments to move into from the UK and overseas.” In addition, Co-op has opened a handy convenience store on the ground floor. Tolent has worked across the central region of the UK since 1990, delivering a variety of contracts from industrial, leisure and more recently student accommodation. Projects ongoing in the area include the £34m build-to-rent residential scheme on Sweet Street in Leeds. Working on behalf of property developer Oakapple Group, the development known as Fabrik is part of the Holbeck Urban Village in the south bank area of the city and includes a mix of 216 one, two and three bedroom rental apartments.
Leading consulting engineer Howard Ward Associates (HWA) has assisted in the completion of phase one of The Oaks – a significant student development close to the University of Warwick. The building, known as Oaks 1, is located less than a kilometre from the University of Warwick to the south west of Coventry city centre, and was developed by McLaren Property, together with project managers Stace and Corstorphine + Wright Architects . The project was forward funded by Student Roost who now operate the Accommodation. Formerly the site of an office building, Oaks 1 brings 378 new student rooms to the area in a mixture of 288 cluster bedrooms and 90 studios, which are within convenient walking distance of the university’s main campus. The scheme also benefits from over 6,800 sq. ft. of amenity space; comprising an open plan common room and games room, gym and virtual training areas, study areas and social spaces, and has provided significant contributions towards the sustainable transport infrastructure in the area. HWA supplied civil and structural engineering services from feasibility and planning stages to phase one of the project. Phases two and three which include two further buildings – Oaks 2 and Oaks 3 – is currently under construction, and would deliver a total of 1,000 student rooms and studios. The Oaks is the only purpose-built student accommodation scheme adjacent to the University of Warwick. Demolition works for phase one began in September 2018, with McLaren Construction starting the main build contract the following month. Completion was ahead of the expected completion date – ready for the 2020/21 academic year. Dan Bailey, director at HWA, said: “We are pleased to be continuing our long-standing working relationship with McLaren Property and the rest of the supply team on this significant project in Coventry. “As the only purpose-built, large-scale student accommodation in the area, this will provide much-needed, quality rooms and studios for students to enjoy as they attend the University of Warwick. The accommodation couldn’t be in a better location, bordering the main campus with everything students need within easy reach. “We’re proud to be continuing our work in the Midlands, particularly in these challenging times, and look forward to seeing the next phase of the project progress.” From its head office in Nottingham, HWA delivers construction engineering consultancy services across a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, emergency services, commercial and residential across the country.
