Residential : Student Accommodation News
University of Manchester unveils redevelopment plans

University of Manchester unveils redevelopment plans

The University of Manchester has unveiled the next phase of plans to provide additional student accommodation on the Fallowfield campus. The major redevelopment will include Owens Park, Oak House and Woolton Hall. The University is progressing an outline planning application which would replace existing bedspaces with up to 3,300 new

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Dominus Manchester development receives approval

Dominus Manchester development receives approval

A new development by real estate company Dominus, which will help solve the student housing crisis in Manchester, has been given the green light by Manchester City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee. The One Medlock Street scheme will provide more than 1,000 beds for the city’s university students, who would

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Watkin Jones secures funding for PBSA Scheme in Bristol

Watkin Jones secures funding for PBSA Scheme in Bristol

Developer Watkin Jones has secured funds managed by KKR to build a 819-bed purpose-built student housing (PBSA) scheme in Bristol. The consideration will be payable to Watkin Jones over the course of the development located in Dalby Avenue, Bedminster, which is due for completion in August 2024. It includes an

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Planning application submitted for Queen’s Hospital Close, Birmingham

Planning application submitted for Queen’s Hospital Close, Birmingham

Chapman Taylor, working with Turley, Stace LLP, and Churchman Thornhill Finch, is delighted to announce the submission of a detailed planning application for the prestigious Queen’s Hospital Close development in Birmingham. The proposed mixed residential development aims to revitalise the historic site and contribute to the vibrant urban fabric of

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Clegg Construction Student accommodation project shortlisted for energy efficiency award

Clegg Construction Student accommodation project shortlisted for energy efficiency award

A major refurbishment project being undertaken by Clegg Construction in partnership with the University of Nottingham has been shortlisted for an East Midlands Energy Efficiency Award. The £10.2m scheme, which comprises the sustainable refurbishment of the University’s historic Florence Boot Hall building to provide students with accessible, comfortable and modern

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Building on the sky's edge - Alumno regeneration project takes centre stage

Building on the sky’s edge – Alumno regeneration project takes centre stage

What do a successful musical and an award-winning purpose-built student accommodation developer have in common? Alumno Managing Director David Campbell reveals all… When we applied for planning permission for one of our most challenging, yet rewarding projects in 2018, little did we know that the journey would end with an Alumno team outing in March 2023 to

Read More »
Winvic Commences Groundworks for 367-bed Purpose Built Student Accommodation Project in Bristol for Madison Cairn

Winvic Commences Groundworks for 367-bed Purpose Built Student Accommodation Project in Bristol for Madison Cairn

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been awarded a Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme by Madison Cairn. After successfully completing the initial enabling works and piling operations, Winvic now commences the groundworks, which

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GMI Construction begin work on £24m Birmingham student development

GMI Construction Group begin work on £24m Birmingham student development

The construction phase of a new £24 million purpose-built managed student accommodation project on Dogpool Lane in Birmingham began recently, marked with a special event. Senior teams from building contractor GMI Construction Group and developer Alumno Group were present at the ceremony. Regenerating a former BT brownfield site within the

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Latest Issue
Issue 324 : Jan 2025

Residential : Student Accommodation News

Significant student accommodation scheme tops out marking progress on 36-acre site

Significant student accommodation scheme tops out marking progress on 36-acre site

THE LATEST phase of The Island Quarter in Nottingham moved a step closer to completion on Wednesday 7 June, as the final structural beam of its student accommodation scheme was put in place.  The moment was marked with a topping out ceremony for the ongoing phase, which will be home to nearly 700 students from next autumn. The block is currently under construction by Bowmer + Kirkland, and once completed will be managed by Fresh, a leading student accommodation provider. In addition for students and anyone else in medical learning is a way to learn to write, visit essay help online and this service will help you out. The student accommodation forms the second phase of the 36-acre development, with the initial phase – restaurant and entertainment venue 1 The Island Quarter – opening its doors in September 2022.  The Conygar Investment Company – the developer behind the scheme – has also recently received planning permission for nearly 250,000 sq ft of bioscience and laboratory space which will be situated next to the student accommodation.  Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “Alongside the recently updated masterplan and the planning consent for our bioscience facility, this topping out is another key landmark in what has already been a pivotal year for The Island Quarter.  “From the very outset, we wanted The Island Quarter to be an exemplar of intergenerational living, and this high-quality student accommodation will not only help us reach those ambitions, but also strengthen the offer that Nottingham has for students, ensuring we get the highest calibre of students in our city and attending our universities.”  Designed by DAY Architectural, the student accommodation will offer a range of room types including studio flats and cluster living, and also features a high-level sky lounge, private courtyard, socialising and studying space.    Christian Parnell, Bowmer + Kirkland regional director, said: “We are delighted to be a part of this significant milestone for the project. The topping out ceremony marks the one year anniversary that B + K started work on this site. Everyone – Conygar, consultants, and ourselves – have worked well together, and collaboratively, to get where we are today. We are now focused on delivering the project for next year’s student intake.”   Craig Bryant, strategy and business development director at Fresh, said: “The topping out today is a hugely significant milestone as we move a step closer to welcoming our first cohort of students to their new home in 2024. Fresh has been involved throughout the development, providing advisory services to ensure our unique insight has been designed into the scheme from the beginning to deliver what students want and to exceed our client’s expectations. The Island Quarter is set to be a very exciting development in this great university city, and we can’t wait to add 693 beds to our existing presence in Nottingham.”    For more information on The Island Quarter, visit theislandquarter.com.   

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University of Manchester unveils redevelopment plans

University of Manchester unveils redevelopment plans

The University of Manchester has unveiled the next phase of plans to provide additional student accommodation on the Fallowfield campus. The major redevelopment will include Owens Park, Oak House and Woolton Hall. The University is progressing an outline planning application which would replace existing bedspaces with up to 3,300 new bedspaces. The redevelopment will be delivered in multiple phases and includes the demolition of Owens Park Tower which has been closed for several years. The work does not affect students currently living in halls at the Fallowfield campus and prospective students can continue to apply for existing halls as normal. The University has launched an accompanying public consultation to gauge the opinions of students, staff and local residents. The public consultation will close on the 30 June, prior to the submission of the outline planning application to Manchester City Council. Commenting on the plans, Dr Simon Merrywest, Director for the Student Experience, University of Manchester said: “The proposals for the redevelopment of this area of the Fallowfield campus will strengthen the University’s ability to offer a world-class, supportive student experience in well-located, good value, quality accommodation. This redevelopment provides an opportunity to widen the choice and supply of student bedrooms whilst ensuring they are fulfilling the requirements of future students studying at the University. “Through creating these welcoming and inclusive spaces, it helps create a positive sense of place for our students as they live, learn and thrive within the surrounding community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Dominus Manchester development receives approval

Dominus Manchester development receives approval

A new development by real estate company Dominus, which will help solve the student housing crisis in Manchester, has been given the green light by Manchester City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee. The One Medlock Street scheme will provide more than 1,000 beds for the city’s university students, who would otherwise be forced to live in privately rented houses. The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University attract around 45,000 and 36,000 students a year respectively, while only 26,830 professionally managed student beds in Manchester remain available. If current demand levels from students continue to grow at a predicted rate of 3.2% each year, then up to 14,772 additional students will be forced into privately-owned accommodation, taking vital supply away from the broader rental market. Manchester City Council’s recently-published PBSA Study identifies Dominus’ One Medlock Street development as one of the key named sites committed to meeting the city’s needs for student beds over the coming years. The development, which includes two new buildings with 13 and 37 storeys respectively, replaces an existing Premier Inn hotel and is expected to support 475 jobs and provide a £198 million productivity boost to the local area during construction. Jay Ahluwalia, Principal Director at Dominus Real Estate, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Whitbread to create a mixed-use scheme that will provide an attractive, sustainable and well-connected hub for work, study and living. Our aim is to provide a huge boost to Manchester’s Southern Gateway, contributing to the continued regeneration of the First Street area. “Our One Medlock Street scheme will bring high-quality and flexible Grade A offices, much-needed student housing at a location supported by the City Council and a better street-level experience for all. “Dominus Real Estate’s portfolio ranges from hotels to residential and office spaces, and we are constantly expanding our £2.4 billion pipeline by working with universities, local councils and other local stakeholders to meet the most pressing demands of those communities. “We are delighted that Manchester City Council have resolved to grant planning permission at Planning Committee. We look forward to starting on-site and delivering this exciting project.” As well as student accommodation, the development – being delivered alongside partners Whitbread – also includes office space with room for 2,200 jobs, a landscaped pocket park and rain garden, and “green streets” connecting the site to the wider First Street Regeneration Area. There will also be a nine-story piece of public art to enhance the site. Once completed, the scheme is expected to contribute £1.6 million in business rates each year. The plans have been designed by award-winning architects Jon Matthews Architects, who have delivered a number of transformative regeneration projects in Manchester including Axis, Oxygen and Brazennose House, and Planit-IE. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Puma & Glenmore partner on new £25 million student accommodation project in Dundee

Puma & Glenmore partner on new £25 million student accommodation project in Dundee

Puma Property Finance (Puma) has today announced it is providing a development facility for Glenmore’s most recent purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project in Dundee. The £25 million, 152-bed all-studio accommodation is located minutes away from both the University of Dundee and Abertay University, next to the city centre. The development will be Puma’s third with Glenmore and will seek to alleviate a growing under supply of new build stock in the city, particularly amenity rich, studio accommodation.  Construction has already commenced on site and the project expects to be completed in time for the start of the 2024/5 academic year. More broadly, this deal comes at a time of increasing demand for student accommodation,[i] with the number of first-year undergraduate students projected to increase and applicants potentially reaching one million by 2030. According to a recent Savills report, there are currently 31% fewer 5+ bed properties listed for rent in Q1 2023 compared with the pre-pandemic average, which has impacted accommodation options for students.[ii] Coupled with increasing demand from international students to study in the UK, PBSA developments are playing a significant role in addressing the demand and supply dynamics across the UK. Eliot Kaye, Managing Director at Puma Property Finance commented: “We are delighted to be working again with our trusted partner, Glenmore, to address the increasing demand for high-quality student accommodation in Dundee which has been historically undersupplied. PBSA is an asset class that we know well, and this development represents our sustained commitment to the sector. Andrew Whiteley of Glenmore Student Property commented: “Ensuring that students have high-quality living facilities is a crucial challenge that must be addressed if we are to enable those who wish to continue their education to do so. Through our continued work with Puma Property Finance, this PBSA development in Dundee will go some way to addressing the shortage of new build accommodation options in the area. Within walking distance from two universities, it will be well placed to serve student demands.” [i] Savills, UK Purpose-Built Student Accommodation Spotlight [ii] Savills, UK Purpose-Built Student Accommodation Spotlight Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Watkin Jones secures funding for PBSA Scheme in Bristol

Watkin Jones secures funding for PBSA Scheme in Bristol

Developer Watkin Jones has secured funds managed by KKR to build a 819-bed purpose-built student housing (PBSA) scheme in Bristol. The consideration will be payable to Watkin Jones over the course of the development located in Dalby Avenue, Bedminster, which is due for completion in August 2024. It includes an initial net cash receipt for Watkin Jones of around £25 million. KKR is making the investment through its European Core Plus Real Estate strategy, which focuses on thematic investments in high-quality, substantially stabilised assets with long-term growth potential. Upon completion, the 819-bed scheme will be fully leased to The University of Bristol on a long-term basis. The development will deliver a mix of 5-12 bed cluster flats together with around 15,000 sq.ft. of internal amenity space and considerable external amenity space including a private terrace, courtyard, and gardens. The site has transport links to the University campuses and is located close to Bedminster train station and within walking distance to Bristol’s city centre. With two established universities in the city, Bristol continues to be a leading destination of choice for students in higher education. However, accommodation in the UK’s eighth largest city is stretched across both the build-to-rent (BtR) and PBSA markets. The creation of the new major PBSA development in Bedminster is important in helping the city to address the on-going and increasing demand for student accommodation. The PBSA scheme is located in one of the five key sites identified in Bristol City Council’s Bedminster Green Framework as a priority for redevelopment. Alex Pease, Chief Investment Officer, Watkin Jones, said: “We are delighted to have secured our second deal with KKR, and would like to thank them for their efforts and partnership approach in reaching this agreement. This is an exciting opportunity to develop a key area of regeneration in the Bedminster area of Bristol for the ever-growing student needs in the city. “The sale is further evidence of the attractive investment and operational fundamentals of both PBSA as a sector and Bristol as a city and a good sign of investment markets re-opening. “Watkin Jones has a strong track record of developing PBSA schemes in Bristol as rising demand continues, including work recently completed at Wilder Street and Unity Street last year, in addition to work currently underway on a PBSA site on Gas Lane. “We are really excited as Bristol is widely regarded as one of the UK’s top university towns for education but also it represents one of the most vibrant and inclusive cities for students to live. Offering a wide range of bars, shops, and restaurants, it is a city for students to enjoy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Planning application submitted for Queen’s Hospital Close, Birmingham

Planning application submitted for Queen’s Hospital Close, Birmingham

Chapman Taylor, working with Turley, Stace LLP, and Churchman Thornhill Finch, is delighted to announce the submission of a detailed planning application for the prestigious Queen’s Hospital Close development in Birmingham. The proposed mixed residential development aims to revitalise the historic site and contribute to the vibrant urban fabric of the city. The plans encompass an innovative blend of 189 Build to Rent apartments and 759 Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) residential bedrooms. Located on the grounds of the former Birmingham Accident Hospital, the development will breathe new life into the site while honouring its rich heritage. Part of the proposal involves the careful refurbishment of the two remaining listed buildings, ensuring their preservation and activation. These buildings will house communal facilities, including a public café and a gym, fostering a sense of community within the development. Designed with a landscape-led approach, the site layout seeks to transform the currently gated area into an inviting environment. It features a series of landscaped courtyards responding sensitively to the adjacent canal, and generous new public ream creating a harmonious setting for the listed buildings. The new buildings have been thoughtfully conceived as a family grouping, gradually stepping up in height from east to west. At the junction of Bath Row and the Birmingham Old Line Canal, a tall building will serve as a distinctive landmark. While each building boasts its own unique identity through variation in colour, a common architectural language ensures a cohesive and visually appealing whole. Sustainability lies at the core of the project’s design philosophy, with a commitment to achieving a BREEAM Excellent for the new buildings and Very Good for the listed buildings. Through the implementation of a high-performance building envelope and efficient technical systems, the development aims to minimise energy consumption and carbon emissions. Ecology and biodiversity are woven through the site, with buildings carefully placed to allow retention of the majority of the existing trees, and set back from the canal to provide an ecologically rich edge, preserving the Canal Wildlife Corridor. Additionally, a strong emphasis on connecting residents with the outdoors will enhance their well-being, offering spaces for both active enjoyment and calm reflection. Currently, the planning application is under review by the local authority, with a decision anticipated in early autumn 2023. We look forward to a positive outcome that will pave the way for the realisation of this exceptional development in the heart of Birmingham. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Clegg Construction Student accommodation project shortlisted for energy efficiency award

Clegg Construction Student accommodation project shortlisted for energy efficiency award

A major refurbishment project being undertaken by Clegg Construction in partnership with the University of Nottingham has been shortlisted for an East Midlands Energy Efficiency Award. The £10.2m scheme, which comprises the sustainable refurbishment of the University’s historic Florence Boot Hall building to provide students with accessible, comfortable and modern student accommodation, has been announced as a finalist in the Large-Scale Project of the Year category, which recognises schemes over £250,000 in value that will deliver considerable energy savings. A raft of energy efficiency measures has been implemented to help improve the thermal and low carbon efficiency within the 1920s-constructed building via a fabric-first approach. These include air-source heat pumps to replace gas-fired systems, a Building Management System, upgrades to roof insulation, as well as LED lighting throughout. In addition, over 380 new triple-glazed windows, (which are in keeping with the surrounding historical aesthetic) on the University Park campus, replace PVC units installed circa 20 years ago. The project is targeted and forecast to achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’, and has been overseen by Chris Jamison, senior site manager at Clegg Construction, who is a BREAAM-Accredited Person and whose extensive knowledge and experience delivering schemes to BREEAM standards has been instrumental in the delivery of the project. In testament to the many energy-efficient technologies and measures installed throughout the building, its Energy Performance Asset Rating is forecast to increase significantly from E to B. It is estimated that the fabric-first approach to decarbonising the building equates to a reduction of 380 tonnes of CO2 per year. This aligns with the University of Nottingham’s carbon management plan (to be net zero by 2040 with an interim target for 2030), with Clegg’s own sustainability agenda, as well as the UK’s pledge to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Throughout the duration of the project, which is due to complete in summer 2023 for the new intake of students, Clegg enjoyed a considerable degree of engagement with the local and wider community in a wide range of areas, including hiring a 16-year-old school leaver on a four-month placement as a trainee site manager, the use of local subcontractors and suppliers, as well as hosting visits from architecture, engineering and business management students, plus descendants of the Boot family. The hall of residence was the first female hall at the University and was founded by businesswoman and philanthropist, Florence Boot, wife of Boots the Chemist founder Jesse Boot. The scheme has also seen Clegg and the University of Nottingham closely working together to protect the natural environment through tree protection orders, the retention of existing hedges and planting, and the careful relocation and preservation of Pipistrelle and Whiskered bats. Other members of the project team include Maber architects and Couch Perry Wilkes consultants. Now in their tenth year, the Energy Efficiency Awards aim to provide public recognition for the excellent work the energy efficiency sector is doing in undertaking energy efficiency schemes that help cut carbon emissions and reduce fuel poverty, and to help encourage best practice within the energy industry as it works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are held on a regional and national basis each year. The awards ceremony will take place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd May at the Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport Hotel. Simon Blackburn, managing director at Clegg Construction, said: “Clegg is pleased to be delivering this important project for the University of Nottingham. Florence Boot Hall marks the latest in a long line of high-quality schemes that Clegg has managed on behalf of the University during our partnership of over 20 years.” Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. The company, which has its headquarters in Nottingham, works with organisations of all sizes and specialities across a range of different sectors. For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Building on the sky's edge - Alumno regeneration project takes centre stage

Building on the sky’s edge – Alumno regeneration project takes centre stage

What do a successful musical and an award-winning purpose-built student accommodation developer have in common? Alumno Managing Director David Campbell reveals all… When we applied for planning permission for one of our most challenging, yet rewarding projects in 2018, little did we know that the journey would end with an Alumno team outing in March 2023 to see an award-winning musical at London’s National Theatre. Always looking for exciting and original projects, we were approached by our friends at Urban Splash to become involved in the regeneration of Sheffield’s iconic Park Hill Estate development. This striking, sublime, brutalist, yet much maligned, development was designed by Jack Lynn and Ivor Smith in the 1950s, providing almost 1,000 homes in 400 acres of high-rise blocks poetically named the ‘streets in the sky’.  Creativity in sync We always believed the city centre location made Park Hill ideal for student housing, so were honoured to be brought in to deliver our vision for phase 3 of the project, Béton House. After months of planning work, led by Sheffield-based Whittam Cox Architects, we convinced the local authority that our conservation-led approach to the design, preserving the historic character of the building, was the right move, and celebrated gaining planning permission in July 2018.  While we were preparing the plans for Béton House, another creative team were also working on a Park Hill project. In contrast to our preservation of the visual design, architecture and structure of the estate, they were marking and celebrating its social impact. Standing on the Sky’s Edge is the vibrant and compelling story of how Park Hill and its dwellers have changed across generations. It reflects the fluctuating face and personality of Sheffield, much in the same way as we saw the new student community as part of this legacy and a new vibrant community.  Songs and storeys When our construction partners Kier began work on Béton House, Standing on the Sky’s Edge was opening at Sheffield’s Crucible theatre to rave reviews. However, plans to tour were brutally brought to a halt by the pandemic. By the time the musical re-emerged in December 2022, Béton House was open, flourishing with vibrant student life. Another stage was complete in the revitalisation of a Sheffield landmark and social hub.  Meanwhile, the buzz around Standing on the Sky’s Edge was growing again, with the show soon to move to London’s famous National Theatre. Which was when the Alumno team went along to experience the show and revisit the themes and feelings that made Park Hill such an important project for us – and we were delighted to be mentioned in the show’s programme! The production has since won Best New Musical at the 2023 Olivier Awards. Our restoration of Park Hill will help to ensure the iconic estate has more stories for playwrights and songsmiths to tell about the people who live there for generations to come – and we are proud to say we have played our part.   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Winvic Commences Groundworks for 367-bed Purpose Built Student Accommodation Project in Bristol for Madison Cairn

Winvic Commences Groundworks for 367-bed Purpose Built Student Accommodation Project in Bristol for Madison Cairn

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been awarded a Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme by Madison Cairn. After successfully completing the initial enabling works and piling operations, Winvic now commences the groundworks, which comprise under slab drainage and ducts works and installation of concrete pile caps, beams, ring beams and the ground floor slab. The project comprising 367 studios and shared rooms is part of the second phase of Redcliff Quarter, located on the corner of St Thomas Street and Cross Street in Bristol, ten-minute walk from the University of Bristol’s main campus. The concrete frame programme begins in April. It will climb to 12 storeys and the building form is predominantly an L shape to accommodate a 2,700 sq ft, landscaped first floor communal roof garden terrace to the rear. The roof at level 12 has been designed as a blue roof to provide the building with the function of water attenuation.  When complete there will be three seven-bed cluster rooms, 16 six-bed cluster rooms, 11 threedios, 11 twodios, 176 studios and 19 accessible rooms. 4,600 sq ft of flexible communal spaces, ancillary accommodation and storage for 184 cycles will also be found on the ground floor. Handover is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. The project completes the wider urban block, which it has been designed to complement, and adjoins a new build-to-rent (BTR) project on two elevations. The construction works will be programmed to coordinate with this scheme that Winvic began this BTR for Madison Cairn in September 2022 and will complete in 2025. A number of underground services will be installed and diverted as part of the project and the student accommodation will be connected to the Bristol Heating Network. The Bristol Byzantine style has inspired the external aesthetic along with the prevailing use of brick and stone and metal cladding in the area. Red and black bricks will be used on the façade alongside a contrast of fluted and flat glass reinforced concrete (GRC) and metalwork cladding.  Mark Jones, Winvic’s Director of Multi-room, said: “We’re delighted Madison Cairn has selected us to partner on this scheme. This repeat business is a testament to strong collaboration and the partnership that we have built with this client. Both projects come with their own challenges and deadlines, with this site being particularly constrained on logistics – due to the interface of the adjoining buildings – and the limit space on this city centre location. Nevertheless, the Winvic team appointed to the Redcliff Quarter student accommodation project have a wealth of experience and we are looking forward to safe delivery through to 2025.”   Aneil Handa, Principle at Madison Cairn, said: “This will be one of Bristol’s most sustainable and high-quality student accommodation schemes, which has been designed by working in conjunction with Bristol City Council and the local community. This is the second project that we are working on with Winvic Construction, and we are excited to build upon our relationship in a partnership approach.” 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 Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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GMI Construction begin work on £24m Birmingham student development

GMI Construction Group begin work on £24m Birmingham student development

The construction phase of a new £24 million purpose-built managed student accommodation project on Dogpool Lane in Birmingham began recently, marked with a special event. Senior teams from building contractor GMI Construction Group and developer Alumno Group were present at the ceremony. Regenerating a former BT brownfield site within the established Stirchley community, the development will accommodate the growing number of students attending local universities and the city’s dental hospital, taking pressure off private housing in the area. Funded by Woh Hup, the building will comprise a mix of cluster beds and single occupancy studio rooms for 167 residents, together with a reception and communal areas. Community benefits The scheme will also provide an improved retail space for the site’s original Post Office and newsagent outlet, which has been relocated close by during construction. The local community will also benefit from an enhanced public area in front of the building, which will include landscaping, seating and cycle stands.  Promoting a cleaner local environment, the development will be car free, with students prohibited from bringing vehicles to Birmingham through their tenancy agreements. Student residents will benefit from easy access to public transport, with the development close to bus, rail and cycle networks, as well as being within walking distance of local university campuses.  Local references Designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the new building will comprise brickwork and terracotta detailing, which references local materials, while also providing a new identity for the building.  “The elegantly crafted red brick/terracotta design of Dogpool Lane responds to several key local landmarks, including the red brick Selly Park Church and Dogpool Lane Hotel,” explained Dav Bansal, Partner at Glenn Howells Architects, which designed the development. “The project also reinstates a piece of under-utilised green space as a matured setting for the building for both students and the local community to enjoy. It will provide a much needed and sustainable home to embed students in the wider community, but also a catalyst for regenerating this local neighbourhood.” Economic boost Commenting on the project, Alumno Managing Director David Campbell said: “It’s great to be celebrating the start of work on another exciting project. Our development will improve the local area visually, provide an economic boost to local businesses, and deliver much needed accommodation for Birmingham’s growing student population,”  “As with all our developments, we have worked closely with the surrounding community and local authority to ensure the scheme enhances this vibrant area.” Delighted to be collaborating with Alumno again, Gareth Jones, GMI’s Joint Divisional Managing Director, said: “This is the third project we have undertaken in collaboration with Alumno, having last year completed the Church Inn development in Manchester, as well as working alongside them on the Whitelock Street scheme in Leeds. “We’re proud to add another project to our growing portfolio in conjunction with Alumno, and it is a development which underlines our versatility in constructing a wide range of builds.” Alumno and GMI plan to have the new building completed in time for the 2024 student intake.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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