Work on the third phase of the redevelopment of Sheffield’s Park Hill Estate into student accommodation has been completed. Béton House provides accommodation for 356 students, including townhouses and a number of two- and four-bedroom apartments, and studios. Alumno, the student accommodation specialist, worked with Whittam Cox Architects on the
The demolition plans of a prominent office block in Leeds’ Arena Quarter have been revealed, as well as the construction of a 43-storey tower that could become one of the tallest buildings in Yorkshire. Olympian Homes will present pre-application proposals for the Arena Point building on Merrion Way to Leeds
Bull Products, a manufacturer of life-saving fire protection equipment, is taking site safety to new heights during the expansion of the University of Brighton’s largest campus. Bull Products is helping to secure the safety of the workforce of leading construction company, Bouygues UK, as it delivers the multi-million development for
West Midlands-based Urban Village Capital has raised the bar for university accommodation after achieving a first-class transformation of a former Coventry office block. Ringway House has undergone a £15m renovation and features a mix of studio units and a range of bedroom apartments that will accommodate four to seven students.
Harvey UK, a commercial decoration company, has completed a contract to carry out the decorating and finishing of a £62 million student accommodation project on the Warwick University campus. The work had been carried out during lockdown under Covid-safe working practices. The Cryfield Village development will provide more than 800
Caledonian has been awarded a £40m turnkey contract by Studytel® for its 528 student bedroom development at Penryn, near Falmouth in Cornwall. This is the latest in a series of major new multi-million pound contract wins for the Newark-based business. The development will provide high quality accommodation for students studying
NATIONAL property developer Sladen Estates has announced the appointment of Mark Nicholson as a development director. Mark brings with him 15 years’ experience in the property industry, working across multiple sectors from industrial to residential, accruing particular success in the student accommodation sector. Mark said: “Sladen Estates is working on
A SITE that is smaller than the length of a double decker bus and comes with its own kayak is the latest challenging project to be taken on by construction firm Stepnell. The construction of Boulevard Wharf in Nottingham – comprised of 76 student accommodation studios – is one of
Two tower cranes have been delivered on a site in Coventry where the development of new student accommodation is taking place. UNINN Parkside Development’s scheme will see 502 en-suite, mix of studio & cluster bedrooms constructed within three towers – six, 13 and 19-storeys high. The 19th floor will house a
A topping out ceremony has taken place at a new £19 million student accommodation scheme in Sheffield city centre, which is being built by Clegg Construction. The event was held to mark the build reaching its highest point and was attended by representatives from Clegg Construction, Future Generation and Axis
Work on the third phase of the redevelopment of Sheffield’s Park Hill Estate into student accommodation has been completed. Béton House provides accommodation for 356 students, including townhouses and a number of two- and four-bedroom apartments, and studios. Alumno, the student accommodation specialist, worked with Whittam Cox Architects on the design and building shell restoration, as well as with Kier Construction to adapt the building. Homes for Students is now based at Béton House to welcome and settle in new students, and manage the building. Other collaborators were interior design businesses Ben Kelly Design and Brinkworth with Graphic Thought Facility. “We create living spaces for students all over the UK. This year more than ever it is important to provide quality term time homes for students, and the adaptation of this amazing brutalist structure by Whittam Cox is exemplary providing an ideal place for students to both study and socialise,” said David Campbell, managing director of Alumno. “The whole project has been a fantastic team effort from planning, design, construction through to the influence of some great creative interior designers and artists. It is so heartening to see Béton House fully functional and occupied and to see students enjoying living there.” The students have joined a 700-strong community that has been living and working at Park Hill since 2013, following the completion of the first phase of development by JV Partners Urban Splash and Places for People. “We have worked incredibly hard to understand the deep roots of the original design which is clearly very unique in architectural character. Our designs retain and celebrate all of the important elements of the original scheme, while respectfully adding new layers of identity and design thinking to create three-storey townhouses for student residents, using the famous ‘streets in the sky’ of course,” added Nick Riley, board director at Whittam Cox Architects. “We are particularly proud to be associated with Park Hill as we are a local practice; this building is culturally and physically an intrinsic part of Sheffield for many people, so being part of realising its next chapter is hugely important to us.” The second phase is set to complete at the end of next year and includes a further 195 homes and commercial space for businesses.
The demolition plans of a prominent office block in Leeds’ Arena Quarter have been revealed, as well as the construction of a 43-storey tower that could become one of the tallest buildings in Yorkshire. Olympian Homes will present pre-application proposals for the Arena Point building on Merrion Way to Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel next week. Under the plans, the existing 19-storey office building, previously known as Tower House, would be demolished and a new 43-storey tower built on the site. The new building would provide a total of 694 student bedspaces in a mix of studios and clusters flats. About 9,100 sq ft of dedicated amenity space, as well as an external roof terrace, would also be created. Councillors will be asked for feedback on the proposed development, including their views on the loss of office space and proposed student accommodation use, the approach to living conditions, and the mass and form of the new building. The elevated terrace on the west side of the Arena Point building, which includes the reception to the offices, has recently been partially redeveloped, with Unite Students ‘ White Rose View development comprising 17- and 27-storey buildings opened in September 2020. The entrance lobby would be demolished under the new plans. The former site of Hume House, adjacent to Arena Point, is currently being redeveloped by Olympian Homes as Altus House. The new 37-storey student accommodation development is set to become the tallest building in Yorkshire. The current tallest building in the region is the 112-metre Bridgewater Place. Two applications have been submitted this year for 38- and 39-storey buildings in Sheffield that could take the crown, while an application was lodged in May for a 46-storey residential tower on land at Cartwright House in Holbeck.
Bull Products, a manufacturer of life-saving fire protection equipment, is taking site safety to new heights during the expansion of the University of Brighton’s largest campus. Bull Products is helping to secure the safety of the workforce of leading construction company, Bouygues UK, as it delivers the multi-million development for Uliving, a student accommodation developer. The accommodation will provide over 800 student bedrooms and new fitness and social facilities at its Moulsecoomb campus. Bull is protecting the site with the Cygnus Wireless Alarms including the Fire Call Point & First Aid Alarm. This market-leader temporary fire alarm and evacuation system offers heightened site safety, ensuring workers can distinguish if a fire or first aid alarm is raised. In the case of a first aid alert, each device beeps intermittently every eight seconds. Matt Trigwell, Sales Director at Bull Products, says: “Our experience of installing our wireless fire alarms in high-rise buildings means we are well suited to protect the University of Brighton throughout the different stages of development. “A cause and effect functionality has been set up between zones which allows different personnel in each zone to escape in a controlled manner, therefore reducing accidents and trips during any evacuation.” Bull Products’ fire extinguisher trolleys, equipped with fire extinguishers and alarms, also ensure all safety equipment is stored in one convenient place. An ideal solution for larger sites, the equipment can be moved around as the site develops, offering maximum site protection where and when it is needed the most. Nicolas Amice, Site Manager at Bouygues UK, adds: “The Cygnus alarm system has been extremely efficient and reliable and has met the needs of what we required for this particular project. We are proud to be supporting Uliving, our student accommodation developer partner and sister company that is investing in the future of students by transforming its facilities and we are also delighted to be working with Bull to ensure health and safety is optimised.” For more information, contact Bull on 01432 371170, visit www.bullproducts.co.uk or email enquiries@bullproducts.co.uk
West Midlands-based Urban Village Capital has raised the bar for university accommodation after achieving a first-class transformation of a former Coventry office block. Ringway House has undergone a £15m renovation and features a mix of studio units and a range of bedroom apartments that will accommodate four to seven students. The 94-bed property, which will be the envy of the city’s large student population, is available to house students from this September. Ringway House, located near the city’s Belgrade Plaza complex and major transport links, will help meet the increased demand for high-quality student accommodation in the dynamic university city, which is home to both the University of Warwick and Coventry University. Coventry has witnessed increasing student numbers over the years and is ranked the fifth best city in the UK by website Fresh Student Living. Coventry’s profile is set to increase as it prepares to be the UK’s 2021 City of Culture. These factors make the city a highly-desirable location for students both from the UK and overseas – 42 per cent of students in the city are from abroad – further increasing the demand for quality student residences. Urban Village Capital’s Ringway House more than meets the requirements of today’s modern students. The mix of studios and apartments feature high-speed internet, and are completed to a high-spec and stylish finishing. Students will also have use of a communal gym, games room, study areas and laundry. It also comes with a communal courtyard, cycle storage, parking – which includes electric charging points, and on-site staff. The refurbishment has also seen a new lift and the installation of acoustic glazing to reduce noise. The Ringway House development will provide hassle-free student living and is managed by Homes For Students – one of the UK’s leading student accommodation operators. The practical completion of the project has continued to maintain Urban Village Capital’s reputation for taking tired, unloved buildings and revitalising them into stunning living spaces. Nick Sellman, chief executive at Urban Village Group, said: “Today’s students are in search of accommodation that is safe, affordable, comfortable and meets their needs. “Ringway House definitely delivers all this. We have looked at what students want and created some amazing living and communal spaces so they can learn and live and really enjoy their time at university and in the city. “It is a great central location with easy access to the universities as well as the city centre, which will help boost the local economy and breathe new life into the area.” Sellman added: “The building and its services will be fully managed by the country’s biggest student operator, Homes For Students, who have award winning standards for care for both their students, staff and local community engagement. “Homes For Students has an excellent track record in managing student accommodation of the finest quality across the UK and we are really pleased to have them on board, as we know they will make the arrival of students into the heart of Coventry a real success.” More details on Ringway House are available at https://wearehomesforstudents.com/student-accommodation/coventry/ringway-house
Harvey UK, a commercial decoration company, has completed a contract to carry out the decorating and finishing of a £62 million student accommodation project on the Warwick University campus. The work had been carried out during lockdown under Covid-safe working practices. The Cryfield Village development will provide more than 800 extra student rooms on campus, made up of townhouse-style apartments and studios. The development also includes a central hub with a theatre, shops and cinema. The Henley-in-Arden-based decoration company has been carrying out all of the painting, decorating and finishing work on the apartments which are being built by Kier Central. “Cryfield village is probably one of the most colourful projects we have worked on, with apartments, stairwells and facilities painted in some very bright colours. The results are stunning, as well as providing a modern and attractive university home for the students. This work was carried out under strict Covid-safe working and social distancing practices, but was still finished on schedule,” commented managing director Tony Harvey.
Caledonian has been awarded a £40m turnkey contract by Studytel® for its 528 student bedroom development at Penryn, near Falmouth in Cornwall. This is the latest in a series of major new multi-million pound contract wins for the Newark-based business. The development will provide high quality accommodation for students studying at the Penryn Campus, which is shared by Falmouth University and the University of Exeter. Providing a new, high-tech and innovative approach to student accommodation, the Studytel® scheme includes single bedrooms, self-contained studios and cluster apartments with shared kitchens and communal spaces. Caledonian was chosen because of its successful track record supplying large modular projects and recent experience on other high-quality student accommodation schemes, along with the ability to develop a cost-effective volumetric design solution for this aesthetically striking building. Caledonian will manufacture the modules at its factory in Newark concurrently as the construction of the concrete framed structure is created on site. This approach will significantly reduce the overall construction schedule, enabling handover in time for the new term in September. Paul Lang, CEO of Caledonian Modular, said: “In spite of the events happening on a world stage, we continue to grow and develop as a business. The Studytel® project is the latest major contract win for Caledonian. A large proportion of our recent new business wins are turnkey projects as clients are beginning to understand the benefits it gives them in terms of budget certainty, speed to market and quality consistency.” Paul added: “Our growth over the last few years is the result of our strong position in the modular market. Through our ongoing improvements in design and material selection as well our ability to consistently deliver projects on time and within budget, we have become a trusted partner for volumetric building solutions.” Caledonian continues to invest in Building Information Modelling (BIM), design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) and lean manufacturing techniques allowing it to supply a finished product more efficient, with higher levels of factory completion and of far higher quality than that achieved in traditional construction. The first phase of Studytel® Penryn is due to open to students at the start of the academic year 2021/22 To find out more about Caledonian modular buildings and offsite construction solutions, visit: www.caledonianmodular.com
NATIONAL property developer Sladen Estates has announced the appointment of Mark Nicholson as a development director. Mark brings with him 15 years’ experience in the property industry, working across multiple sectors from industrial to residential, accruing particular success in the student accommodation sector. Mark said: “Sladen Estates is working on some really transformative schemes at the moment and I’m thrilled to join the team at such an exciting time. I’m looking forward to drawing on my previous experience and contributing to the delivery of high standard developments throughout the UK.” Mark will be working with the development team on the delivery of developments across Sladen Estates’ portfolio, with particular focus on private rented sector (PRS), build-to-rent (BTR) and student accommodation. The company currently has a forward development portfolio of £800m, including HMRC’s new 276,600 sqft East Midlands regional centre at Unity Square, Nottingham. Nick Sladen, chief executive of Sladen Estates, said: “Mark’s experience speaks for itself and we’re very pleased to welcome him into our senior team as we expand and celebrate our 20th anniversary. We very much look forward to working with him on the delivery of various projects throughout the country.” Celebrating two decades in business this year, Sladen Estates is a commercial property development company operating nationally in the industrial, offices, retail, PRS and student accommodation sectors. For more information, please visit www.sladenestates.co.uk.
A SITE that is smaller than the length of a double decker bus and comes with its own kayak is the latest challenging project to be taken on by construction firm Stepnell. The construction of Boulevard Wharf in Nottingham – comprised of 76 student accommodation studios – is one of the most complex jobs taken on by the contractor to date due to the unusual dimensions of the 11-metre-wide site and its proximity to the city’s canal. Because of this, a kayak forms part of the team’s emergency rescue procedure, meaning that any items that inadvertently fall into the canal can be retrieved. Shaun Moses, site manager for Stepnell, said: “It is certainly one of the more unusual sites we’ve worked on. Along with the obvious issues that come with building so close to the canal edge brings, the overall site is just 11 metres wide, meaning that day-to-day operations must be very carefully managed. “With incredibly tight boundaries and the buildings themselves designed to fill the entirety of its footprint, the site is a real challenge, but the team has worked closely with the developers from an early stage to create a solution that is workable and allows the whole operation to run smoothly.” The project sees the studios spread across three buildings providing views over the canal and towards the city of Nottingham. Designed by MAS Architecture, the scheme will also feature high-spec communal areas, including an on-site gym and movie room. Tom Sewell, East Midlands’ regional director at Stepnell, said: “The story of this site is really one of collaboration. Our team worked extensively with the client through the design development process in order to design and manage a project that met a high standard in terms of appearance and finishes – all while working to the budget and the challenges the site provides.” Muthar Al-Salloum, managing director of MAS Architecture, said: “This is a prestigious development that we are really pleased to deliver. Boulevard Wharf will provide much-needed contemporary student accommodation within Nottingham city centre and the scheme is one of only a few self-contained student accommodation developments in the city – providing all the necessary facilities onsite – thus creating a homely and luxurious environment for students to thrive in.” To find out more about Stepnell visit: www.stepnell.co.uk or join the conversation at @Stepnellltd
Two tower cranes have been delivered on a site in Coventry where the development of new student accommodation is taking place. UNINN Parkside Development’s scheme will see 502 en-suite, mix of studio & cluster bedrooms constructed within three towers – six, 13 and 19-storeys high. The 19th floor will house a rooftop lounge terrace. UNNIN Parkside Development has been working with Winvic Construction, who completed this recent milestone, to refine the design and solve engineering challenges for the last six months. “Winvic has been making excellent progress on Parkside and their knowledge of city-centre, high-rise developments is evident. Already there is a buzz about Coventry’s next luxury student accommodation provision and we look forward to welcoming students into their new rooms in summer 2020. Together with Winvic, we’re confident to exceed expectations,” said Andrew Jamieson, Managing Director of UNINN Parkside Development. So far, the piling for the 5 metre deep basement, which will provide a gym, laundry, cinema, karaoke room and communal lounge for tenants and a plant room/energy centre, has been completed. On the ground floor there is also planned a 100 m2 of retail space. Ground works are underway with the first pile caps and beams installed. Following this will be the storm water attenuation measures, blue roof tanking over basement areas and erection of the steel framed building will. A combination of brick slips and rainscreen cladding will make up the external façade’s striking design, and the interior will take shape with high quality finishes throughout, meeting the demands of the luxury student living market. Delivered on a turnkey service by Winvic, additionally comprising works to the existing highway and the creation of 160 bicycle spaces, the 95 week project will ready for habitation in August 2020.
A topping out ceremony has taken place at a new £19 million student accommodation scheme in Sheffield city centre, which is being built by Clegg Construction. The event was held to mark the build reaching its highest point and was attended by representatives from Clegg Construction, Future Generation and Axis Architecture. A total of 324 rooms will be delivered as part of the Steel City scheme, which is being built for Future Generation in the city’s St Vincent’s Quarter. As part of a new build ranging between three and five storeys, a mix of cluster flats and studio flats will be provided and 247 beds will be delivered. An existing Grade II listed building dating back to 1833 is also being redeveloped and refurbished providing a further 77 beds. Other facilities will include reception, laundry, security office, fitness studio and rooftop terrace with café bar. Designed by Axis Architecture, the buildings will be finished mainly in brick with natural slate pitched roofs; the buildings will be highly sustainable with a CHP energy centre and green and brown roofs. The new development is situated on Hollis Croft close to the University of Sheffield’s School of Engineering. “We are delighted that the Steel City build has reached its highest point and we are on track to complete the building in time for the start of the 2019 academic year. We have delivered a number of high quality student accommodation developments across the UK and this is one of the biggest projects we have worked on so far,” said Simon Blackburn, Clegg Construction Managing Director. Clegg Construction has already delivered 1,400 rooms across Sheffield, including Provincial House in nearby Solly Street which completed for the 2017-18 academic year. The company has also completed student accommodation across Leicester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Cambridge, and is currently on site delivering nearly another 1,000 beds across three further sites.
