Plans to develop a new multi-million-pound Student Village at Staffordshire University have been given the go-ahead. The proposal was submitted to completely transform the student experience at the University and provide more high-quality accommodation with enhanced service provisions and student social spaces. The plans were discussed by the Planning Committee
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has reached a significant milestone with its completion of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme Crown Place Nottingham – over 10,000 multi-room beds have now been
Exemplary mixed-use scheme will comprise student units, cultural spaces and community amenities Construction contract value of over £100m… Specialist Design & Build Contractor McAleer & Rushe has been appointed by developer Dominus Real Estate to create a permanent home for London’s Migration Museum, as part of a landmark mixed-use scheme
Purpose-built student accommodation specialist Alumno and partners Hurlington Capital have recently gained approval for a new development on Marshgate Lane in Stratford, east London. The proposed site lies adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which hosted the UK capital’s highly successful 2012 Games. Planning permission for the development was
Real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust, has made its first acquisition under its Living platform with the purchase of a purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) site in Leith, Edinburgh. Forming part of the Leith Walk regeneration scheme promoted by Calder Weir Properties, part of the site was purchased with
THE ISLAND Quarter could eventually be home to more than 1,000 students following the submission of proposals for a second phase of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) on site. Plans submitted to Nottingham City Council today (16 February) will see a further 383-space student block built on the Manvers Road side
Plans have been submitted to build additional student accommodation at The Island Quarter in Nottingham. The plans submitted to Nottingham City Council would see a further 383-space student block built on the Manvers Road side of the £1.5bn Island Quarter development. Combined with the 693 beds at the adjacent Winfield
Balfour Beatty has commenced construction of a new student accommodation project – the West Slope Residences – on behalf of The University of Sussex, having achieved Financial Close in December 2023. At Financial Close, Balfour Beatty Investments signed a 54 year contract to design, build, finance and maintain the new
Construction firm GRAHAM has been awarded a £70 million contract by property developer Bricks Group for the two-stage design and build Bendigo Building project in Nottingham. Operated by Bricks’ acclaimed management platform ‘true student,’ the development marks a noteworthy advancement in the realm of purpose-built student accommodation in Nottingham and
YTL Developments has secured planning permission for 1,514 beds of student accommodation at Brabazon. The company is transforming the 380-acre former Filton Airfield into a sustainable new mixed-use neighbourhood for Bristol. Over the next twenty years, this new city district – known as Brabazon – will grow to include thousands
Plans to develop a new multi-million-pound Student Village at Staffordshire University have been given the go-ahead. The proposal was submitted to completely transform the student experience at the University and provide more high-quality accommodation with enhanced service provisions and student social spaces. The plans were discussed by the Planning Committee at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 20 March 2024, and they will now be considered by the University’s Board of Governors in the coming weeks who will have the final decision on the proposal. The plans for the new Student Village, on the University’s Leek Road site, detail the construction of more than 700 new student rooms in a mix of cluster blocks and townhouses, plus the refurbishment of the University’s Clarice Cliff Court accommodation which currently houses just under 300 students. A village ‘hub’ facility would also be built as part of the development, enhancing the vibrancy of the student experience with an events and wellbeing space, individual and group study areas and multi-activity spaces, as well as a rooftop terrace with an outdoor seating area. The hub and village would be linked to the Leek Road campus via a new pedestrian bridge and boardwalk. A new car parking area would be developed on the former Squires View site to the east of the University’s campus to service the village and wider University campus. Pending approval from the Board of Governors, once construction of the village is completed in 2026, the University’s existing accommodation on Leek Road would be demolished to make way for new parkland and open spaces which would be accessible by the local community, as well as students and staff. Open space developments would include an 800m fitness loop encircling the village with a surfaced path for jogging and walking. The parkland would also incorporate a new outdoor teaching facility for the University’s Woodlands Forest School which would make nature more accessible for local schoolchildren. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has reached a significant milestone with its completion of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme Crown Place Nottingham – over 10,000 multi-room beds have now been successfully handed over to clients. Images: Crown Place Nottingham, exterior The total spans 29 projects and Winvic’s Director of Multi-room, Mark Jones, has taken the company’s sector turnover from £30 million in 2017 to £230 million. Winvic’s residential sector team has also expanded from 10 individuals to 130 during this time. Mindful of adapting to ever-changing market conditions, Winvic harnessed the strength found within its core values – The Winvic Way – and focused initial delivery on PBSA projects. Winvic capitalised on the Build-to-Rent (BTR) market boom and now 70 per cent of its Multi-room strategic focus is on BTR schemes. Winvic delivered the first 235 rooms to Crown Student Living in time for the start of the 2023/4 academic year, another 109 in October and now all 426 student residences have been completed. A hybrid reinforced concrete frame approach has been used, meaning large portions of the frame have been pre-cast off site. Inside the six-storey building Winvic has constructed and fitted out 230 studios and 196 cluster flats, 300 sq ft of dining rooms and a 4,300 sq ft shared social spaces, including a gym and cinema, karaoke, games and ping pong rooms. BIM Level 2 was utilised by Winvic to quickly identify and resolve package clashes and meet a tight two-year programme on a compact site, with main roads and a mosque to three boundaries. A brick slip cladding system has been utilised on the façade, with aged red bricks; the design complements the surrounding architecture, and the bricks closely match those used in the neighbouring former Nottingham tram depot. Winvic’s site and social value teams collaborated throughout the project and S106 employment and skills conditions set out by the local authority were exceeded. Employment, training and on-site work experience placements were given to local people and Winvic team members volunteered at Stonebridge City Farm, which delivers skill learning opportunities to over 150 local residents each week, many of whom have mental health challenges or learning disabilities. Mark Jones, Winvic’s Director of Multi-room, said: “This significant milestone of 10,000 beds completed by Winvic across 29 Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Build-to-Rent and hotel projects, plus our extraordinary growth in the sector over the last six years stands as a clear testament to our unwavering dedication to residential excellence and innovation. “Crown Place Nottingham, which has just been handed over and takes us 280 beds over the momentous figure, is an excellent example of this. We have not only used digital design but also taken a hybrid approach to the concrete frame construction, whereby off-site casting has provided factory-controlled quality and enabled a faster programme. This is our first project for Crown Student Living and our second – Crown Place Birmingham – will be complete towards the end of 2025; our relationship has grown from strength to strength so I hope we can deliver more vibrant PBSA schemes in partnership in the coming years.” Also contributing to Winvic’s total of 10,280 completed multi-room beds with handovers in October and November 2023 are the PLATFORM_ Build-to-Rent development in Sheffield and Corkfield in Edgbaston for client Patrizia. More information about the three projects can be found on page 16 of Winvic’s recently published Winvic Word online newsletter. The six, seven and fourteen-storey steel-framed PLATFORM_ development contains 179 one-bedroom, 50 studios, 89 two-bedroom and 17 three-bedroom smart-tech enabled apartments, which all achieve EPC B. Winvic has also constructed and fitted out a 1,800 sq ft residents’ lounge, a 1,400 sq ft private dining room, a 1,250 sq ft gym and landscaped roof terraces on three levels as part of the BTR project. Two commercial spaces totalling 7,650 sq ft can also be found on the ground floor. Alongside the creation of a new entrance plaza and improvements to the adjacent Edgbaston Stadium – home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club – and highways improvements to Edgbaston Road and Pershore Road, Winvic was appointed by Patrizia to deliver 189 one-bedroom, 169 two-bedroom and 17 three-bedroom apartments. Corkfield’s concrete-framed blocks reach five, seven, eight, 13 and 18 storeys. The BTR scheme also comprises 6,100 sq ft shared amenity spaces, an undercroft car park for 111 vehicles and 214 cycles, a 3,000 sq ft rooftop terrace, a 21,700 sq ft landscaped podium deck and five commercial units totalling 15,000 sq ft. A timelapse video of Corkfield’s construction can be found here. Local authority S106 employment and skills requirements were also exceeded by Winvic on Sylvester Street and Corkfield. Jones, who has also recently written a blog on the Winvic website about their achievement, continued: “Each of our projects are more than just buildings, they tell stories of precision, dedication, our commitment to safe and timely delivery and consideration to communities. The Winvic team members of course play the leading roles in these stories and we’re proud to have grown and nurtured a team that truly shares our vision and understands collaboration is crucial to success; from programme and operations to achieving sustainability goals to delivering social value activity that makes a difference to local people’s lives. I’d like to thank our team for their ongoing hard work and all our clients for putting their trust in Winvic to bring their residential visions to life. “As we reflect on these achievements, we’re not just looking back; we’re looking forward with anticipation and excitement because with our drive, the best is yet to come.” For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (formerly Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Exemplary mixed-use scheme will comprise student units, cultural spaces and community amenities Construction contract value of over £100m… Specialist Design & Build Contractor McAleer & Rushe has been appointed by developer Dominus Real Estate to create a permanent home for London’s Migration Museum, as part of a landmark mixed-use scheme in the heart of the City of London worth a construction contract value of over £100m. The 65 Crutched Friars development, which is due to complete in Summer 2027, will include new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), to provide over 700 student homes in a 21-storey building. The student units will be complemented by green spaces open to the public, such as a new pocket park and public roof terrace, for the benefit of the local community. Located on the eastern edge of the City of London, the scheme has been designed to be sustainable in both construction and operation, targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating as well as utilising offsite manufacturing, including prefabricated bathroom pods, a precast and unitised façade and both blue and green biodiverse roofs. While demolition works have commenced, the major transformation of the former office block is due to begin in Spring 2024 with the accommodation ready for the 2027/28 student intake. Enhancing student living in London, Crutched Friars will help to meet the growing need for student accommodation within the City with an abundance of social and study spaces, including private dining rooms, gym and wellness zones, a TV lounge and entertainment spaces. The development also secures the future of London’s Migration Museum with a purpose-built, three-floor 30,000 sq ft space, which will be free-to-enter thanks to a 60-year lease granted by the Ahluwalia family, with no rent or service charge payable, alongside a new pocket park. Commenting on the announcement, Mark Diamond, Senior Director, McAleer & Rushe said, “We’re thrilled to be delivering this prominent mixed-use scheme in the City of London as Construction Partner with Dominus. Our decade-long collaboration, involving several successful projects throughout the UK, is rooted in shared values and a commitment to delivering positive social value impact and community outreach. Crutched Friars is a prime example of our early engagement approach in action and with our experienced teams behind us, we are looking forward to working on this landmark visionary scheme with all stakeholders involved.” Designed by award-winning Danish architectural studio 3XN, the student residences will feature a mix of Premium Studios, Studios, Twodios, Threedios and affordable Cluster bedrooms and contains generous communal spaces, private study areas, gym, laundry facilities and external roof top terraces. Lee Saywack, Executive Director at Dominus, commented, “Partnering with McAleer & Rushe is a great next step in bringing 65 Crutched Friars to life and delivering much needed new student accommodation to the City of London. “The scheme’s central location, proximity to universities, cutting-edge amenity spaces, customer-centric operating method, and the provision of a new and permanent home for the Migration Museum, illustrates our commitment to meaningful regeneration that benefits both people and place.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Purpose-built student accommodation specialist Alumno and partners Hurlington Capital have recently gained approval for a new development on Marshgate Lane in Stratford, east London. The proposed site lies adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which hosted the UK capital’s highly successful 2012 Games. Planning permission for the development was granted on 27 February 2024. The decision follows detailed consultation with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), the body set up post 2012 Olympics to develop a dynamic new heart for east London, tasked with creating opportunities for local people and driving innovation and growth. The joint venture project between Alumno and Hurlington Capital will house 316 students and is designed by award-winning London architects Henley Halebrown. Adjoining the future new Pudding Mill Lane Masterplan currently being developed by LLDC, the development will be built adjacent to the Docklands Light Railway station of the same name. University College London (UCL) has expressed interest in a nominations agreement, with the site being just a 10-minute walk from its new East Campus. This would enable UCL to propose a minimum number of students for the new residence each year for an agreed period. Residents of the new development will enjoy a range of amenities specifically designed to create the ideal environment for study and leisure. These include lounges, study spaces, cinema room, private dining area, gym, games room, external courtyard spaces and four individual roof terraces. Plus, 35% of rooms will be designated as affordable as defined through the London Plan. In line with Alumno’s commitment to each of its projects benefitting the local community, the adjacent canal towpath will be upgraded and a number of affordable artist workspaces are proposed for the ground floor. This initiative will be run in partnership with SPACE Studios, London’s leading visual arts organisation, which supports artists by providing creative workspace, advocacy and professional development. “We’re delighted to have gained approval for another new Alumno development, which will help close London’s student accommodation gap, free up local community housing and provide welcome rejuvenation and an economic boost to the area,” said Alumno Managing Director David Campbell. Commenting on the project, Hurlington Capital Managing Director Harry de Lotbiniere said: “The successful outcome at Marshgate Lane marks the fourth PBSA scheme in Hurlington’s London pipeline demonstrating our continued commitment to investment in the sector. We look forward to delivering this fantastic project alongside our partners at Alumno.” Planning consultants Knight Frank supported the submission, playing a key role in securing approval. “We worked hard with officers in a positive and constructive way to make sure that we achieved the design standards expected by the LLDC and our university partner, while also ensuring a very constrained site is deliverable,” explained Knight Frank Partner Chris Benham. “The site represents the missing piece of the Pudding Mill Lane puzzle, and its delivery will play a key role in the continued regeneration of the area.” Commenting on the design of the building, Henley Halebrown Associate Jack Hawthorne said: “This is an important project for the practice, particularly in light of the wellbeing of young people and the role that architecture and their environment can play in this. On an urban level the scheme forms a key piece of the emerging Pudding Mill Lane development, establishing a new street that connects Marshgate Lane with the City Mill River. This street will be characterised by a lively ground floor populated with artists’ studios and social space for students, encouraging communities to mix and rooting the building in its surroundings.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust, has made its first acquisition under its Living platform with the purchase of a purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) site in Leith, Edinburgh. Forming part of the Leith Walk regeneration scheme promoted by Calder Weir Properties, part of the site was purchased with planning permission to create a PBSA block and three commercial units. Firethorn will develop the six-storey building to provide high quality accommodation for 230 student beds and generous amenities, including a fully-equipped gym, modern study spaces and student common rooms. The design specification, which was enhanced by Firethorn’s innovative use of AI technology, will feature sustainable elements to meet BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings, including photovoltaic (PV) panels. The wider Leith Walk development has planning permission for two five-storey residential units that will provide a mix of build-to-rent (BTR) and affordable housing. The owner has engaged Firethorn Living along with Calder Weir Properties to assist with the delivery of these residential units. This is the first deal for Firethorn under its Living platform, which was launched in 2023 following the appointment of Marcus Weeks as Director and Head of Living. Marcus, who has more than a decade of experience in acquiring and developing PBSA assets, commented: “Previously an underutilised brownfield site, the scheme is located in an area that continues to be the focus of major investment, driven by the recent opening of an adjacent tram line, which has significantly enhanced connectivity to the centre of Edinburgh. “As our first acquisition for Firethorn Living, the scale and quality of this project represents our ambitious strategy to invest in prime university cities and help to address the growing supply and demand imbalance for modern student accommodation, whilst making a positive contribution to local regeneration. “Firethorn is very well capitalised and our dedicated, in-house Living and development teams are actively seeking more deal opportunities in the sector to add to our growing pipeline. The PBSA and BTR markets offer strong potential for growth and we look forward to expanding our portfolio with future acquisitions in prime locations across the UK.” Work on site is expected to commence in the summer and is due to complete for the 2026/27 year. For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE ISLAND Quarter could eventually be home to more than 1,000 students following the submission of proposals for a second phase of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) on site. Plans submitted to Nottingham City Council today (16 February) will see a further 383-space student block built on the Manvers Road side of the 36-acre site. Combined with the 693 beds at the adjacent Winfield Court – which will open to students for the 2024/25 academic year – The Island Quarter will boast a significant student population once both phases are complete. The proposals – designed by DAY Architectural – cover a range of accommodation types including cluster accommodation, studios and premium options, along with student community amenity facilities such as a gym, laundry room, various lounges and informal breakout areas. Following a similar material palette to Winfield Court, the designs include a combination of grey, buff and red bricks on the building’s facade alongside ribbed metal cladding. Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “The demand for student housing has never been greater, and PBSA plays a vital role in ensuring that students have access to high-quality accommodation without the need to restrict housing supply that is better suited for Nottingham residents.” The new student block is the latest planning submission by developer The Conygar Investment Company, following last May’s approval for a new 250,000 sq ft biosciences campus on the northern side of the site. Ware said: “Intergenerational living has been a core principle for our plans for The Island Quarter, and a healthy population of students is a crucial part of this mix. In a competitive marketplace, these well-designed plans put student experience at their heart, and we’re looking forward to seeing this phase move forward. “This latest proposal is one of a series of planning submissions that are currently in the pipeline, building on the success of the first phases of the development at 1 The Island Quarter and Winfield Court.” The scheme has been designed by DAY Architectural with planning, transport and environmental advice being provided by Axis. David Jones, technical director at Axis, said: “As part of the evolving masterplan for The Island Quarter, this next phase of accommodation has been designed so that the proposed build can complement Winfield Court in design and function while diversifying the student living environments on offer.” For more information about the plans for The Island Quarter, including the overall masterplan, visit theislandquarter.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans have been submitted to build additional student accommodation at The Island Quarter in Nottingham. The plans submitted to Nottingham City Council would see a further 383-space student block built on the Manvers Road side of the £1.5bn Island Quarter development. Combined with the 693 beds at the adjacent Winfield Court – which main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland is expected to complete this summer – the 36-acre Island Quarter site will have a student population of more than a thousand if and when both phases are complete. The new proposals are from Day Architectural on behalf of developer The Conygar Investment Company, just like Winfield Court. They cover a range of accommodation types including cluster accommodation, studios and premium options, along with amenity facilities such as a gym, laundry room and various lounges. Following a similar material palette to Winfield Court, the designs combine grey, buff and red bricks on the building’s facade alongside ribbed metal cladding. Conygar property director Christopher Ware said: “The demand for student housing has never been greater. PBSA plays a vital role in ensuring that students have access to high-quality accommodation without the need to restrict housing supply that is better suited for Nottingham residents.” The new planning submission follows last May’s approval for a new 250,000 sq ft biosciences campus on the northern side of the site. Christopher Ware said: “Intergenerational living has been a core principle for our plans for The Island Quarter, and a healthy population of students is a crucial part of this mix. In a competitive marketplace, these well-designed plans put student experience at their heart, and we’re looking forward to seeing this phase move forward. “This latest proposal is one of a series of planning submissions currently in the pipeline, building on the success of the first phases of the development at 1 The Island Quarter and Winfield Court.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty has commenced construction of a new student accommodation project – the West Slope Residences – on behalf of The University of Sussex, having achieved Financial Close in December 2023. At Financial Close, Balfour Beatty Investments signed a 54 year contract to design, build, finance and maintain the new accommodation. Balfour Beatty Investments will invest equity of £32 million, 81% of the project equity, with the University of Sussex acting as a co-investor providing the remaining 19%. In addition, Balfour Beatty Investments has provided the funding strategy with £171 million of wrapped bond financing being raised through a private placement. The project will provide 1,899 bedrooms together with a new Health and Wellbeing Centre, as well as catering and retail facilities for students. Throughout construction, Balfour Beatty will use modular construction techniques, to build the modular steel frame and bedroom units offsite and in a controlled factory environment, significantly reducing carbon emissions by limiting the number of lorry movements and material deliveries to and from site. Following completion, Balfour Beatty Investments will maintain the accommodation for the duration of the contract. Ion Appuhamy, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Investments, said: “The West Slope Residences is the most ambitious development programme the University of Sussex has undertaken in recent years, and will significantly contribute to and enhance the student experience. “Building on the success of the East Slope Residences project which we completed back in 2020, we now look forward to providing an additional campus for students whilst simultaneously showcasing our extensive experience in the design, funding and construction of high-quality accommodation and amenities.” Lindsay McGibbon, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional buildings business said: “At Balfour Beatty, we have a long and proud history in the successful delivery of student accommodation schemes in the UK. “Through this latest contract award, we will leverage our unrivalled knowledge and expertise to safely deliver the West Slope Residences to the highest standard, ensuring that it is a campus that both the University of Sussex and students alike can be proud of, and thrive in.” Allan Spencer, Executive Director (Special Capital Projects), at the University of Sussex, said: “I am delighted that we are expanding our partnership with Balfour Beatty. This project is critical to the University’s future success, ensuring all new students can live on campus. Securing this significant investment in our campus is a major milestone for the University and will deliver a key element of our ambitious Capital Programme, enhancing the experience of our students and staff through new accommodation and facilities.” Balfour Beatty has already achieved considerable success in the student accommodation market and with the addition of the West Slope Residences now has a portfolio of nearly 7,000 beds in development or operation across the UK, testament to its end to end offering from development and design, through to financing, construction, and maintenance. Construction is already underway with the student accommodation due to be ready for the start of the 2026/27 academic year. At construction peak, Balfour Beatty will employ 450 people including c.50 apprentice and graduate roles as part of its commitment to The 5% Club. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction firm GRAHAM has been awarded a £70 million contract by property developer Bricks Group for the two-stage design and build Bendigo Building project in Nottingham. Operated by Bricks’ acclaimed management platform ‘true student,’ the development marks a noteworthy advancement in the realm of purpose-built student accommodation in Nottingham and adds to true student’s impressive brand portfolio of over 7,000 beds across the UK’s student market. Originally built in the late 1960s, the Bendigo Building served as a Royal Mail Sorting office. After nearly two decades of vacancy, the redevelopment will bring new vibrancy to the area and high-end accommodation to students, offering great connectivity to Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham train station and high street – all less than half a mile away. ‘True Nottingham’ – a 661-bed development, offers a compelling variety of living options including beautifully designed studios and four, five and six en-suite bedroom apartments. As with all true student sites, the luxury all-inclusive accommodation will be fitted out to exceptional specification, providing amenities such as the festival zone, multi-media/games lounge, state-of-the-art gym with personal trainers plus fully landscaped garden with outdoor seating areas, car parking and cycle storage. Two ground-floor commercial units will provide additional amenities for the benefit of both students and the wider community. GRAHAM will work in collaboration with the consultancy team, including Bricks Development team, Abacus as Employer’s Agent and Principal Designer, KKA Limited as Architect, HSP Consulting as Civil & Structural Engineer and ME7 as Mechanical & Electrical Engineer. Ronan Hughes, Regional Director at GRAHAM, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Bricks Group to deliver this development that represents a significant investment in student accommodation, contributing to the growth and vibrancy of Nottingham. We have similar experience in delivering major projects in the city and look forward to transforming an unused space into a thriving new community for Nottingham’s student population.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
YTL Developments has secured planning permission for 1,514 beds of student accommodation at Brabazon. The company is transforming the 380-acre former Filton Airfield into a sustainable new mixed-use neighbourhood for Bristol. Over the next twenty years, this new city district – known as Brabazon – will grow to include thousands of new homes, creative workspaces and the largest new urban public park in the South West for 50 years. The new neighbourhood will be connected to Bristol and beyond by every form of sustainable transport. The MetroBus will stop at Brabazon and both the University of the West of England (UWE) and University of Bristol. The UWE campus is 1.5 mile walk or cycle away along dedicated bike paths and pedestrian routes. And a new railway station will serve Bristol Temple Meads – adjacent to the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus – in less than 15 minutes. The student accommodation at Brabazon consists of 1,514 bedrooms, located across four mansion-style buildings on the southern boundary of Brabazon, close to the new railway station. Designed by leading local architects Stride Treglown, the attractive mansion blocks will have the space students want, both to socialise and to study. Separate bedrooms are arranged in clusters around communal spaces that will balance studying with a rich social experience. Inside, there will be dining areas and karaoke rooms, a gaming suite and gym, as well as shared studies and quiet working areas. Outside, the landscaped courtyards and green spaces include exercise areas and even a basketball court as well as south-facing gardens. The project is designed to inspire the next generation of engineers, designers and inventors and attract the best young talent to Bristol. The city’s world-class universities and diverse student population help give Bristol its unique energy and edge. But at present, a lack of dedicated student accommodation risks resulting in large numbers of HMOs that can upset the balance of some neighbourhoods. When the new student accommodation at Brabazon opens in time for the 2026-7 academic year, it will provide an inclusive place to live that is conducive to learning and be part of a sustainable solution to the challenges posed by the housing shortage elsewhere in the city. Sebastian Loyn, Planning and Development Director, YTL Developments comments: “Brabazon is designed to live up to the pioneering legacy of the former Filton Airfield and inspire the next generation. New purpose-built student accommodation is essential to our vision to create a thriving, diverse new neighbourhood for Bristol. “When the student accommodation completes, approximately 400 private homes will also be occupied, giving a total of almost 2,000 new residents from all generations by 2026-7. “This represents a critical mass. “The new residents will facilitate the arrival of a new breed of cafes, shops and restaurants. “They will ensure the new public transport services – both the MetroBus and new train station – become sustainable and reliable options for the whole community. “Alongside the existing world-leading engineering cluster, the new residents at Brabazon will accelerate the transformation of North Bristol, ensuring it remains a place of opportunity and drives local prosperity for the next 100 years.” Subscribe to the Neighbourhood Newsletter for Brabazon to receive updates as they are announced: www.brabazon.co.uk/newsletter Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
