An Bord Pleanála has granted planning for a major student accommodation scheme on the Naas Road, Dublin 12, which will bring much needed student housing to the city. Designed by London based, leading International Architecture and Urban Design practice, HKR Architects for Hollybrook Homes, the Gowan House development will provide
UK ground engineering specialist Mainmark has been shortlisted for a major industry accolade. Mainmark has been shortlisted for the “UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of up to £500K’’ category which recognises leading projects with a focus on innovation, quality, sustainability, health and safety and value engineering. The annual Ground
Watkin Jones has secured plans to develop a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area and follows two years of negotiation and engagement with the Council. Formerly an engineering works and
Watkin Jones is pleased to announce that Bristol City Council Development Committee (‘the Council’) approved plans for the development of a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol earlier this week. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area
Pershore Junction is a new 127-bedroom purpose-built student building in the heart of Birmingham from developer Alumno. The £24 million project was funded by Who Hup Holdings Limited and built by GMI Construction Group. It has transformed a former BT brownfield site on Dogpool Lane to accommodate the increasing number
With the demand for purposed-built student accommodation (PBSA) predicted to soar, a new report from the British Association of Reinforcement (BAR) explains ‘Why Reinforced Concrete Makes the Grade for Student Accommodation’. The latest student population data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that for the 2021/22 academic year
LGIM announces today the completion, on behalf of Legal & General Retirement Institutional (LGRI), of its first direct-let Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) acquisition, following the purchase of the Aqua Portfolio from Global Student Accommodation (GSA). Building on its strong track-record of investing and lending into the sector, this marks
Leading volumetric developer Tide has secured a resolution to grant planning permission for their Hastings Road scheme. The development will transform the underutilised retail site into a vibrant mixed-use development, delivering 412 new student homes with communal and commercial spaces together with public realm enhancements. Located at a major junction
J3 Advisory, a prominent latent defects insurance and structured property finance advisory firm, was recently instructed by Dominus to source and place insurance for their latest development in Holborn that is situated within close proximity of London universities including LSE, Kings College London and Queen Mary University of London. 61-65
Leading building and civil engineering contractor, Farrans Construction, has completed and handed over a luxury 20-storey student residential scheme in Leeds city centre for client Infinity Construction Enterprise Limited, part of the YPP Group. A total of 212 studio apartments have been provided in the Live Oasis St Albans Place
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning for a major student accommodation scheme on the Naas Road, Dublin 12, which will bring much needed student housing to the city. Designed by London based, leading International Architecture and Urban Design practice, HKR Architects for Hollybrook Homes, the Gowan House development will provide 899 purpose-built student rooms (including 44 accessible units and 24 studios) across buildings varying in height from thirteen storeys to ten storeys. The masterplan includes shared community and cultural space, retail space and an attractive public realm positioned on the River Camac. An Bord Pleanála overturned a previous refusal by Dublin City Council at Gowan House on the grounds that student residential was not an appropriate use on the site and the mass of the proposal was inappropriately large. Joao Ornelas, Associate Director for HKR Architects comments: “We welcome An Bord Pleanála’s decision to overturn a previous ruling by the Dublin City Council for this development, which brings 900 student beds to the city. The decision addresses the considerable pressure to supply student housing and creates a great opportunity for future regeneration within the City Edge masterplan. “Our extensive PSBA experience together with our client’s long knowledge of the student sector has empowered the team to create a very viable and efficient scheme, achieving optimum site value in line with HKR’s well established ‘Value by Design’ ethos. This is something we pride ourselves on and bring to all our projects. “This development is unique as it is one of the first to address the daylighting a culverted River in this case the Camac within the City Edge Strategic Framework. Opening a river running nine metres below ground level is challenging but will bring several benefits to the site and ultimately add value. “This is a complex initiative required expert input from the dedicated specialist team. The creation of a low intervention Riparian Zone will encourage biodiversity, increasing plant diversity, food resources and higher quality shelter to the benefit of wildlife inhabiting and commuting through the area. It also proves the overall flood resilience along the River Camac.” Several innovative design measures were adopted to meet the project brief as well as address DCC’s policy aspirations. River daylighting was maximised, which in turn optimises the ecological benefit while providing a wonderful visual amenity to all the spaces overlooking the river. The scheme includes extensive roof gardens as external amenities. This move in the landscape strategy allows the quantum of public realm to be increased, offering an interesting experience for the public with a treetop walk ‘floating’ over the river, providing an attractive visual and ecological feature to this new urban quarter. A pedestrian bridge connects the residential blocks, enabling the communal amenities to be shared between all blocks. This design has the operational benefit of a single entrance point from which residents are distributed across the dissected site. The façade composition utilises complementary and contrasting colours to modulate the general mass of the scheme adding variety and interest to the overall composition. Pre-cast concrete components are proposed in the façade design, providing a high-quality finish with a considered of colour textures and patterns. This robust low maintenance material ensures the continued appearance of the façade through a full life cycle. The use of prefabricated elements brings all the benefits of offsite construction to the project and aligns with HKR’s decades long expertise in industrialised Construction. Internally the standard rooms are arranged in clusters, each featuring three to eight bed spaces with shared living, kitchen and dining areas. HKR have maximised the number of dual aspect clusters, creating 67% dual aspect sitewide avoiding single aspect north-facing clusters. 5% of the rooms are accessible and located near circulation cores for ease of access. Excellent provision is made for disabled users in all circulation spaces and communal areas. All landscaping, public and private has been designed to be fully accessible and inclusive. Prioritizing sustainable transportation, car parking provision is at an absolute minimum of nine spaces, including accessible parking. The development will improve the cycle network and offer extensive bicycle storage including cargo/adapted bike spaces and electric bike charging. The development is accessed via a public south-facing plaza, leading to the central landscape, which includes the daylit segment of the river. The retail, cultural and community spaces, located on the western side of the site off Naas Road directly overlook the new square and public realm, activating and enhancing these spaces while providing new facilities for the surrounding neighbourhood. Jerry Ryan, HKR Executive Chairman comments, “HKR Architects have a long tradition of challenging consensus and optimising mixed use urban regeneration. Smithfield Square constructed in 2003 represented a step change in the density of urban redevelopment in Dublin with a plot ratio of 5.5. Recently it was voted the second ‘coolest neighbourhood’ in the world by TimeOut, second only to Medellin in Columbia. “ Later HKR achieved a grant of permission at Ballsbridge One with a plot ratio of 4.6 which kickstarted the regeneration of Ballsbridge Central. This grant of permission on the Naas Road represents a landmark decision in the city’s ongoing redevelopment. It addresses a very real housing need. Dublin’s housing shortfall should be addressed via multiple residential typologies including student accommodation and co-living as is demonstrably the case in all European cities. The idea of one size fits all does not address the reality of the diverse demography that is a city.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK ground engineering specialist Mainmark has been shortlisted for a major industry accolade. Mainmark has been shortlisted for the “UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of up to £500K’’ category which recognises leading projects with a focus on innovation, quality, sustainability, health and safety and value engineering. The annual Ground Engineering Awards brings together leaders in the industry to celebrate major achievements. This year’s awards will be held at a prestigious event on 19 June at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Mainmark’s shortlisted project highlights its work on the construction of the 43-storey tower, Arena Point in Leeds, set to be the world’s tallest purpose-built student accommodation. The £95m project on Merrion Way features over 700 bedrooms, with a mix of studio apartments and shared cluster flats, replacing a previously underutilised office block. The construction was halted due to unstable ground, and was only able to progress thanks to the expertise of Mainmark who successfully strengthened the ground prior to excavation using its innovative Teretek® geopolymer resin injection technology. Mainmark’s Teretek engineered resin injection technology solution was chosen to strengthen the ground in a controlled and timely manner. With the proximity of nearby buildings, infrastructure and the restricted site traditional piling and ground anchor techniques were unsuitable for the specific challenge. Teretek® technology, developed by Mainmark, was injected at high-density levels to fill any voids, compact the ground and bind together large cobbles and brick fragments. It was completed in just 10 days, without the need for heavy plant, allowing the construction to continue as scheduled. Tom Kavanagh, General Manager at Mainmark UK, comments: “We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award, it showcases the passion, skill and expertise that our team puts into developing new solutions, allowing the sector to better tackle site specific challenges. “We take great pride in not just meeting but exceeding our clients’ expectations and enabling the Arena Point construction to progress as planned is just one great example of where are dedication to formulating new solutions has been a success.” Mainmark has previously been recognised for its work with the post-earthquake resurrection of the Christchurch Art Gallery which won International Project of the Year. Chosen from seven high calibre of finalists, the re-levelling of the gallery was a landmark project for Mainmark and the industry, setting a new benchmark in the earthquake remediation for large scale buildings. Mainmark Ground Engineering (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of the Mainmark group of companies established in 2016, with its headquarters located in Milton Keynes. For over three decades, Mainmark has established itself as a pioneering force in the industry, leading the way in developing and delivering cutting-edge ground improvement solutions. With an impressive track record of over 200,000 successful projects across Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the UK, Mainmark has earned international recognition as an award-winning and leading ground engineer. https://mainmark.com/uk/ @mainmark(UnitedKingdom) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watkin Jones has secured plans to develop a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area and follows two years of negotiation and engagement with the Council. Formerly an engineering works and foundry, the project is a prime opportunity to revive a disused brownfield site and contribute to the broader regeneration of the Bedminster Green area. The scheme will deliver high-quality managed homes for students ranging from six to ten storeys in height across three buildings. The proposals will deliver broad benefits to the local community, including the creation of a new public space and improvements to the highway infrastructure. The new student population is expected to support local businesses, including those along nearby East Street in particular. Compared to the proposals of previous developers, Watkin Jones’ proposal promoted significant changes including reducing the number and height of buildings across the site and decreasing the number of rooms to better reflect the local character and in response to public engagement. With support from the University of Bristol, this scheme will help to meet the higher education needs of the city that continues to be a premier destination of choice for both UK and international students as numbers continue to rise. Importantly, it has been designed sustainably to support the Group’s ESG strategy. The scheme will be BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and WiredScore ‘Gold’ enabling the best connectivity for students, in addition to an EPC rating B. Watkin Jones is expected to partner with its award-winning management company Fresh to deliver well-maintained, 24-hour on-site services for students. As a leading and long-standing student accommodation developer, Fresh can ensure the site is well cared for and that the student population is well integrated with the existing community. The site offers excellent public transport links and includes storage for 130 bikes, three disabled car spaces that can accommodate EV charging, significant new tree planting, and green landscaping along Malago Road, seamlessly integrating with the council’s highway improvements and river restoration works. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watkin Jones is pleased to announce that Bristol City Council Development Committee (‘the Council’) approved plans for the development of a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol earlier this week. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area and follows two years of negotiation and engagement with the Council. Formerly an engineering works and foundry, the project is a prime opportunity to revive a disused brownfield site and contribute to the broader regeneration of the Bedminster Green area. The scheme will deliver high-quality managed homes for students ranging from six to ten storeys in height across three buildings. The proposals will deliver broad benefits to the local community, including the creation of a new public space and improvements to the highway infrastructure. The new student population is expected to support local businesses, including those along nearby East Street in particular. Compared to the proposals of previous developers, Watkin Jones’ proposal promoted significant changes including reducing the number and height of buildings across the site and decreasing the number of rooms to better reflect the local character and in response to public engagement. With support from the University of Bristol, this scheme will help to meet the higher education needs of the city that continues to be a premier destination of choice for both UK and international students as numbers continue to rise. Importantly, it has been designed sustainably to support the Group’s ESG strategy. The scheme will be BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and WiredScore ‘Gold’ enabling the best connectivity for students, in addition to an EPC rating B. Watkin Jones is expected to partner with its award-winning management company Fresh to deliver well-maintained, 24-hour on-site services for students. As a leading and long-standing student accommodation developer, Fresh can ensure the site is well cared for and that the student population is well integrated with the existing community. The site offers excellent public transport links and includes storage for 130 bikes, three disabled car spaces that can accommodate EV charging, significant new tree planting, and green landscaping along Malago Road, seamlessly integrating with the council’s highway improvements and river restoration works. Ben Wrighton, Head of Planning at Watkin Jones commented: “We are very excited to announce planning approval for our second project in one of Bristol’s key regeneration areas and our third active project within the city. “Our commitment to providing high-quality, and well-managed purpose-built student accommodation will in part address the significant growing demand from the University of Bristol. We look forward to continuing our efforts to meet this growing need alongside the City Council and the local communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pershore Junction is a new 127-bedroom purpose-built student building in the heart of Birmingham from developer Alumno. The £24 million project was funded by Who Hup Holdings Limited and built by GMI Construction Group. It has transformed a former BT brownfield site on Dogpool Lane to accommodate the increasing number of students from local universities, including Birmingham’s School of Dentistry. David Campbell, Alumno Managing Director said: “It is wonderful to see this dynamic building come to life and provide accommodation for Birmingham’s expanding student population. Working with the local authority and community was integral to the buildings’ success and it has re-energised the overlooked site to offer a unique student experience and enhance this vibrant university town.” Philip Johnson, Head of Investment at Who Hup, commented: “Woh Hup is delighted to launch this new property at Pershore Junction to add to our existing portfolio of 1000+ operational PBSA beds in the UK. We believe high-quality purpose-built student accommodation in tier one locations in the UK offers great opportunities to investors. We are extremely grateful to the Alumno and GMI teams for their support in delivering a best-in-class building and look forward to welcoming students in Sept 2024. We continue to look for further development / funding opportunities around the Selly Oak and adjacent areas”. The contemporary brick building is distinctive yet fits appropriately into the wider fabric of the local area and has been designed by architects Howells. Alan McCartney, Partner at Howells said: “Pershore Junction contributes appropriately to the ongoing transformation of Stirchley, with the design delivering a contemporarily crafted brick and terracotta building, that remains clearly of its place, drawing reference to materials and details found on several local landmarks, including Selly Park Church and Dogpool Lane Hotel. Stirchley is a fantastic part of Birmingham and the quality the whole team have been able to deliver will serve to set the benchmark for new buildings coming forward in the area – we have always remained committed to providing design excellence for this site and the design overall has benefited significantly through community and local authority involvement.” Gareth Jones, Divisional Managing Director, GMI Construction Group PLC stated: “As part of our ongoing partnership with Alumno, we’re delighted and incredibly proud to see another fantastic project complete. This new purpose-built student accommodation has been delivered to an incredibly high standard and has been sustainably designed and built to meet the needs of Birmingham’s ever-growing student population.” Alumno is a strong advocate of enriching the surrounding areas of all its student developments by seeking opportunities to integrate the arts using local creative talent. At Pershore Junction they have worked with local artists to deliver a poetry installation from Birmingham’s former poet laureate, Casey Bailey and a student photography exhibition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With the demand for purposed-built student accommodation (PBSA) predicted to soar, a new report from the British Association of Reinforcement (BAR) explains ‘Why Reinforced Concrete Makes the Grade for Student Accommodation’. The latest student population data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that for the 2021/22 academic year the number of full-time students rose by 4%, to over 2.26 million. Meanwhile, the number of international students from India and China has more than offset the fall in EU students in the wake of Brexit as the UK continues to be one of the key global destinations for students looking to study abroad. Between 2019/20 and 2021/22, the number of full-time international students rose by 117,500. The increase in student applications and numbers is set against a growing shortage in student accommodation. This shortage is being exacerbated by the falling supply of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) resulting from landlord regulation and tax changes. Since 2017 there have been over 300,00 buy-to-let mortgage redemptions which has reduced the number of 5-plus bedroom rental properties by 31% since 2019. The reduced supply of private landlord HMO’s is increasing the demand for PBSA particularly from overseas students. To address the disparity between supply and demand more PBSA needs to be constructed. Reinforced concrete offers a wide range of inherent and free performance benefits that are particularly suited to building student accommodation. These include built-in fire resistance, significant noise and vibration reduction, thermal mass for energy efficiency and long-term robust finishes. Steve Elliott BAR Chairman explained: “Reinforced concrete offers a number of unrivalled performance benefits that means it should be awarded a 1st class degree with honours for the construction of PBSA. These concrete benefits are inherent and built-in. There is no need for any additional products, finishes or chemical preservatives. This significantly reduces both initial capital and the ongoing maintenance costs.” With regards to long-term sustainability reinforced concrete again gets top marks. The issue of sustainability is important for PBSAs. Students are some of the most motivated in tackling climate change reducing CO2 emissions. Elliott said: “Admittedly, the use of concrete construction raises questions concerning the level of construction embodied CO2 when compared to other structural materials such as timber. However, if you have to mechanical ventilate and cool a lightweight timber or steel building then the resulting operational CO2 emissions, over the lifetime of the building, will far outweigh any initial construction embodied CO2 savings.” He continued: “Similarly, concrete does need additional fire proofing, sound insulation, wall finishes, flood resilient materials. All of these additional materials have an additional CO2 impact for their manufacture and installation. With concrete construction all of the above performance benefits are provided without any further environmental or financial cost”. He added that all the reinforcement made in the UK is made from recycled scrap steel using the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) process which consumes only a third of the embodied energy, emits one sixth of the CO2 and produces approximately half the amount of co-products (waste) compared with the traditional BOS blast furnace steelmaking process. Reinforcing steel can be recovered, recycled and re-used at the end of a building or structure’s service life. To download a copy of ‘Why Reinforced Concrete Makes the Grade for Student Accommodation’ visit: www.uk-bar.org/publications Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LGIM announces today the completion, on behalf of Legal & General Retirement Institutional (LGRI), of its first direct-let Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) acquisition, following the purchase of the Aqua Portfolio from Global Student Accommodation (GSA). Building on its strong track-record of investing and lending into the sector, this marks the launch of the L&G Student Living Platform. The GSA portfolio consists of two high quality, modern PBSA assets located in Exeter (Clifford House) and Glasgow (Scotway House). Both assets completed in 2019 and have proven historic rental growth, consistent 98%+ occupancy and have established a strong reputation in each of their respective student markets. Clifford House in Exeter consists of 312 bedrooms and Scotway House in Glasgow consists of 399 bedrooms, the assets were purchased for a combined pricing of c.£122m. LGIM has been operating within the student accommodation sector for more than 10 years following its first investment in 2011. It currently manages over £1.2bn in the sector, across equity and debt investments. The new direct-let PBSA strategy will look to target operational, up and built PBSA units no older than five years old. LGIM aims to deploy c.£0.5bn of capital into the sector over the next two years, with the longer-term goal of growing the portfolio to over £1bn and directly managing c.5k beds across the UK. The PBSA strategy complements L&G’s track-record in the investment, development and operation of residential assets – with over £1.1bn1 invested across suburban build to rent, affordable housing as well as later living. Having launched in 2016, LGIM’s build to rent strategy has committed over £3bn2 of institutional capital into the sector and expanded its portfolio to 24 schemes across 13 cities nationwide; cementing its position as a leader in the market. Neil Dovey, Head of Annuity Transactions, LGIM said: “We’re excited to have made our first direct-let acquisition in the student accommodation space. These assets provide high quality PBSA accommodation, situated in locations benefitting from strong academic institutions and demand from students, looking for buildings designed to meet the requirements of modern university life.” Adam Burney, Head of Annuity BTR & PBSA, LGIM commented: “Investing in direct-let PBSA assets forms the next iteration of our Living Sector strategy. The sector has demonstrated its alignment to our strategic requirements, which includes a significant focus on ESG and provides diversification. Following the success and growth of our BTR platform, this strategy further supports the long-term investment goals of LGRI.” Andrew Kail, CEO, Legal & General Retirement Institutional (LGRI) added: “Pension scheme capital is being put to positive use in the real economy – with tangible benefits across generations. These buildings provide students with quality accommodation, while the British economy as a whole should benefit from long-term investing in real assets. We’re proud of how expertise from colleagues has unlocked these benefits for both the new generation as well as the long-term future of those looking to a sustainable pension.” Knight Frank advised LGIM on the acquisition, MTRE advised GSA 1,2 – Legal & General internal data as at April 2024 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading volumetric developer Tide has secured a resolution to grant planning permission for their Hastings Road scheme. The development will transform the underutilised retail site into a vibrant mixed-use development, delivering 412 new student homes with communal and commercial spaces together with public realm enhancements. Located at a major junction adjacent to West Ealing underground station, the new student homes will alleviate pressure on the local housing market while driving new activity to the site by providing commercial space and an improved public realm. The project will be delivered using Tide’s innovative volumetric technology, which involves precision-manufacturing volumetric units before assembling them onsite. This approach is proven to reduce construction programmes by up to 50% while also cutting embodied carbon. It also minimises onsite disruption, logistics and defects. The volumetric units are built in controlled factory settings by Tide’s sister company, Vision Volumetric. The development has been designed around an external courtyard space at the heart of the site to complement students’ lifestyles. Additionally, residents will benefit from the scheme’s extensive and thoughtful amenity spaces, designed to ensure a welcoming and nurturing living environment for students. The plans also feature a biodiverse roof and photovoltaic panels, which add to the project’s environmental benefits.Helen McManus, Head of Planning at Tide, said: “We look forward to breaking ground on Hastings Road and contributing to West Ealing’s vibrant urban fabric. This exciting project marks a significant new addition to Tide’s portfolio of student accommodation projects, and we would like to thank everyone involved in this process. Our proposal seeks to be an exemplar of student development, with high-quality living conditions and generous internal and external amenity space.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
J3 Advisory, a prominent latent defects insurance and structured property finance advisory firm, was recently instructed by Dominus to source and place insurance for their latest development in Holborn that is situated within close proximity of London universities including LSE, Kings College London and Queen Mary University of London. 61-65 Holborn Viaduct, a student accommodation development designed by Stiff + Trevillion Architects and Jonathan Cook Landscape Architects is set to address the pressing need for student housing in Central London. Nestled beside the historic Holborn Viaduct and involving complex tunnelling systems, the project was incredibly challenging to insure due to its intricate design. J3 senior advisor, Matthew Blackhall recognised early on that traditional insurance approaches which often rely on finalised designs, would cause delays. He was able to negotiate arrangements with a provider that allowed for technical audits on site for initial sign off purposes before the insurance placement to ensure the development was being inspected by the insurer. Industry-leading engineering consultants, Bureau Veritas were engaged on behalf of the LDI provider, Build-Zone for the inspection process – This ensured uninterrupted construction progress, effectively mitigating risks and preserving valuable time. Developers that take a long-term position in the PBSA space are increasingly looking to LDI as a means to not only protect against structural defects but also safeguard their income streams and enhance asset marketability – the standout feature being the inclusion of loss of rent coverage, offering income protection for up to three years from practical completion. This provision provides invaluable peace of mind, ensuring continuity of revenue even in the event of unforeseen setbacks. Upon receiving relevant sign off from the technical team and the insurer, the resulting latent defects insurance policy sourced by J3 advisory was A-rated, on full sum insured basis and included loss-of-rent. Matthew Blackhall commented: “It was a pleasure working with Richard and the team at Dominus on a project that promises to leave a lasting imprint on London’s cityscape. Their proactive approach in securing latent defects insurance adds another layer of confidence to the development’s longevity and success, reflecting their commitment to excellence and foresight in mitigating potential risks.” Lee Saywack, Executive Director at Dominus commented: “Our plans for the scheme in Holborn are now progressing at pace, and this appointment means we are a step closer to delivering much-needed new student accommodation. I am grateful for J3’s support to help us realise our vision of creating a thriving new neighbourhood in the heart of the City.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading building and civil engineering contractor, Farrans Construction, has completed and handed over a luxury 20-storey student residential scheme in Leeds city centre for client Infinity Construction Enterprise Limited, part of the YPP Group. A total of 212 studio apartments have been provided in the Live Oasis St Albans Place development, featuring kitchens, bedrooms, en-suites, storage and living facilities. The range of communal spaces includes a gym, communal lounge, kitchen, study spaces, wellbeing lounge and eighth floor roof terrace. The property is aligned to the existing Live Oasis brand and maintains the client’s reputation for high-quality studio-based student accommodation, with a luxurious interior design and enhanced amenity space. Farrans continues to build on its presence in the region having recently been appointed as the main contractor for the Phase 1 terminal extension as part of a £100m regeneration project at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA). The company has also secured a spot on a major works framework covering highways and transportation projects in Yorkshire. Alongside the alliance partners, Farrans will deliver projects valued over £7m. The framework firms will be used by Leeds Council and the wider Yorkshire Highways Alliance, which also includes the councils of Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees Council, York and Calderdale. It will also be available to any local authorities or contracting authorities who are a wholly owned subsidiary of the local authorities within the Yorkshire and Humber region. Cathal Montague, regional director for Farrans Construction, said: “Live Oasis St Albans Place has been an exciting and challenging project in the heart of a busy city centre location and we are proud to have delivered an unrivalled luxury student experience which matched our client’s expectations. We had an excellent project team on the ground who worked collaboratively with our client, architects, the management company YPP and our supply chain to minimise disruption while remaining on target and on programme. “Our experience of constructing student accommodation and high-rise properties using sustainable approaches means that we were well placed to deliver a cutting-edge design which relied exclusively on precast construction from the first floor upwards with a façade design and high-quality material palette. We have been able to optimise the speed of construction using innovative technology without compromising on the luxury finish. The precast panels offer a more sustainable approach to construction delivery as well as working well in a tight site footprint. We are looking forward to continuing our construction and civil engineering work in this region while also building on the relationships we have made so far.” The development is managed by YPP Student and Professional Lettings, which currently manages over 2,000 beds and 50 properties across seven cities with plans to expand further. Harry Granger, Head of Marketing & Business Change at YPP, said: “When we were planning St Albans Place in Leeds we wanted to achieve a new level of luxury for the student accommodation market. Our completed building provides the ultimate all-inclusive experience in the heart of Leeds city centre, an easy walk from cafes, restaurants, shops and a thriving student community. The bespoke apartments are spaces made for high-quality living while studying. We selected Farrans based on their experience in the student accommodation sector and also because they have delivered multi-room, tall buildings. We are pleased to have partnered with them on this project and we are delighted with the top quality finishes that have been achieved.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
