GRAHAM has topped out at the University of York’s £130 million flagship student accommodation project, which was built in only 58 weeks with a room completed at a rate of every 1.5 hours. Supporting the University of York’s “Campus for the Future” masterplan, the 1,480-bed scheme is helping to transform
A major new £195 million student accommodation scheme for Kingston University in London has announced the regeneration specialist, Engie, as the preferred bidder. As part of the contract, the firm will be responsible for energy management and monitoring across the site, as well as bringing leading edge technology to deliver
Balfour Beatty and Equitix have sealed the deal for the £162.9 million Humber Gateway offshore transmission project (OFTO). The high voltage electricity transmission link will connect Eon’s 219MW offshore wind farm in the North Sea, 8km from the East Yorkshire coast, to the onshore transmission grid. The 73 turbines have
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
GRAHAM has topped out at the University of York’s £130 million flagship student accommodation project, which was built in only 58 weeks with a room completed at a rate of every 1.5 hours. Supporting the University of York’s “Campus for the Future” masterplan, the 1,480-bed scheme is helping to transform the Heslington East Campus and will act as a stimulus for the university’s recruitment strategy while meeting the demands of its expanding global student body. GRAHAM is using a state-of-the-art off-site manufacturing facility in the north of England to deliver the scheme, enhancing the quality, safety, and sustainability of the construction programme. Key elements of the development include modular external sandwich panels, prefabricated steel bathroom pods, and pre-assembled services distribution racks. Overall, the project comprises 18 blocks, which house the en-suite bedrooms and 200 living rooms/kitchens, plus 18,000 sq ft of steel frame social Hubs spread over two buildings. In addition to influencing design in partnership with the architects Sheppard Robson and executing the project build, GRAHAM is also a key project investor as part of a consortium. Neil McFarlane, GRAHAM Strategic Projects Director: “Topping out at the University of York in the timeframe that we have is a monumental milestone that deserves to be celebrated. Despite the challenges thrown our way by Brexit and Covid-19, we held firm and adapted where we could with our supply chain to deliver within our programme. In just 290 working days, we have erected all the superstructures with minimal disruption using MMC, which has accelerated the build while maintaining quality and environmental standards. Now, we can look ahead to completion and bringing the campus properly to life in this last, but significant chapter of the project.” Hugh Crossley, Equitix CEO: “We commend all our partners at the University, GRAHAM and Derwent for their perseverance and resilience in delivering this crucial infrastructure on programme amidst the challenges of a global pandemic. It is a remarkable achievement. The topping out at the new residences celebrates a significant milestone in Equitix’s 50 year relationship with the University of York. Importantly, it also celebrates significant progress towards a new college that will enable future generations of students to embark upon their University life in an environment that promotes wellbeing, community and sustainability. Equitix focuses on developing and delivering schemes that provide a ‘Best in Class’ Student Experience and, working with GRAHAM, the outcomes delivered here have exceeded expectations.” Completion is planned in time for the 2022 academic year.
A major new £195 million student accommodation scheme for Kingston University in London has announced the regeneration specialist, Engie, as the preferred bidder. As part of the contract, the firm will be responsible for energy management and monitoring across the site, as well as bringing leading edge technology to deliver a sustainable student experience and also optimising levels of energy efficiency within the buildings. Initially, Engie will provide a £55 million redesign and refurbishment of the existing student accommodation, followed by a 50-year facilities management and lifecycle contract worth a further £140 million. Moreover, alongside leading infrastructure investment firm, Equitix, Engie will also take an equity stake in the refurbishment project. Engie will carry out interim FM services during the refurbishment phase. “We are delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder by Kingston University for this first-of-its-kind contract for ENGIE in the UK. This is further proof of the ability of our teams to combine their energy, services and regeneration expertise to propose integrated offers meeting the public sector needs. This project illustrates how ENGIE’s global approach meets its client’s needs in their entirety and complexity. This is enabled by a comprehensive offer and by an integration into local and global ecosystems. The project is aligned with our strategy to assist local authorities and other public sector customers, working alongside them to shape the future use of their estates and public spaces through planning, design and management, to improve the lives of those who use them,” said Judith Hartmann, Engie Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President in charge of the United Kingdom and North America Business Units. As a leader in the energy revolution, Engie offers a comprehensive range of clean mobility solutions that transform the way energy is used. The Group has developed a systems-based approach that combines its skills and expertise in alternative fuels, transport infrastructures, smart transit systems, and upstream design and planning.
Balfour Beatty and Equitix have sealed the deal for the £162.9 million Humber Gateway offshore transmission project (OFTO). The high voltage electricity transmission link will connect Eon’s 219MW offshore wind farm in the North Sea, 8km from the East Yorkshire coast, to the onshore transmission grid. The 73 turbines have the capability to generate enough electricity for around 170,000 homes every year. Ofgem awarded the Balfour Beatty Equitix Consortium the preferred bidder status in September 2015 to own and operate the Humber Gateway offshore transmission link. For the next 20 years, the consortium will own and operate the link to Eon’s Humber Gateway wind farm, while Balfour Beatty will invest £12.5 million of the total required equity of £21 million. Balfour Beatty’s power transmission and distribution business will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the OFTO’s assets, including one offshore and one onshore substation and two cable circuits consisting of 18km of subsea and 30km of land cable. Ian Rylatt, Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty Investments, commented: “This is our fourth OFTO contract to reach financial close and further establishes our position in the offshore transmission market. Our technical expertise ensures we can efficiently and effectively, support the government’s targets to meet more of the UK’s energy needs through renewable sources.” Among Balfour Beatty’s other offshore transmission investments are the £352 million Gwynt y Mor OFTO and the £164 million Thanet OFTO 2014. The European Investment Bank will provide an £82 million 19 year loan for the Humber Gateway OFTO, which represents almost 50% of eligible projects costs and the long term EIB loan is alongside senior debt provided by three commercial banks. Last month, Balfour Beatty restored its dividend and reduced losses in a sign that the company is returning to health after a tough two years that saw the construction group issue a series of profit warnings and fend off a takeover attempt.
