168 Room Pods for Student Scheme in Edinburgh
Elements Europe will deliver 168 student Room Pods to a £7.8 million student accommodation scheme in Edinburgh, for client West Park Place Developments Ltd.
The scheme is being provided as a turnkey solution by The Pickstock Group, working alongside Pickstock Construction.
Kevin Arthur, Sales Director for Elements Europe commented: “We are really pleased to be facilitating the fast track build of this scheme to be open in time for the September intake of students, a time frame that is achievable with Elements Europe’s off-site building systems.”
The site, located behind retail premises on Darly Road in Edinburgh’s City Centre, has double access from both West Park Place and Darly Gait.
Pickstock Construction has completed groundwork preparation and construction has now begun on-site.
The development will be divided into three separate buildings. Phase 1, the primary building, will comprise of 125 rooms and will be built over five storeys, it also includes the renovation of an existing post office which will also be modularised to encompass seven Room Pods. This will be done by one wall being removed in order for the Room Pods to be positioned. This building will then be adjoined to the primary building.
Phase 2, has an additional 43 rooms housed in two separate buildings spanning three storeys, these are located at opposite ends of Phase 1, and will have six self-contained cluster flats per floor.
Elements Europe has manufactured a show flat for the scheme and has commenced manufacture of the 125 Room Pods for Phase 1. Studio and cluster rooms will be supplied for the scheme, as well as communal living areas, staircases, corridors and roof structure. Phase 1, will open in time for this September’s intake of students.
This quick turnaround is not unfamiliar to The Pickstock Group. Last year a 120-bed student accommodation scheme was constructed for a private investor client in Lincoln City Centre in just 28 weeks.
The new accommodation in Edinburgh is in a perfect location. Transport links, local shops, restaurants and public amenities are all a short walk away. Both The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University are within easy access for the students.
CRM Ltd will operate the new student accommodation in Edinburgh named The Haymarket. CRM is the largest independent accommodation company in the country, managing over 19,000 beds in the UK.
The Pickstock Group Support Soccerfest Charity Cup 2014
On Sunday 15th June, The Pickstock Group supported a five a-side charity football tournament held in Oswestry. Soccerfest Charity Cup 2014 organised by Morgans of Oswestry in association with The New Saints Community Foundation, saw 32 teams made up from local businesses tackling and dribbling it out to become champions all in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.
The event which took place at TNS’ grounds, The Venue, attracted more than 100 spectators and raised a total of £4,000.
In support of this worthy charity, The Pickstock Group entered their own football team – Pickstock Rovers, comprising of six of their finest players- Matt Finch, Rob Goring, Liam Wah, Callum Bromley, Mike Bebb and John Davies.
Pickstock Rovers triumphed in their first three matches. Having conceded only one goal throughout the group stages they proceeded to the quarter finals which saw them face local semi-professionals TNS Juniors. Unfortunately this proved a challenge too far for Pickstock Rovers and they bowed out of the tournament with their heads held high.
Matt Finch, captain of Pickstock Rovers commented “It was an absolutely fantastic day, the competition was tough but everyone was in high spirits. It was great to see so many people supporting such an excellent cause.”
Cambridge Petrol Station Soon to Become Student Accommodation
A former petrol station in the heart of Cambridge has gained planning permission for redevelopment into a 98 bedroom student accommodation scheme after years of vacancy.
The Pickstock Group will deliver the £4.8 million scheme as a turnkey solution for client Cambridge Land Ltd.
Elements Europe’s design team has been working closely with architects Jefferson Sheard to modularise the development which is uniquely shaped and occupies a triangular footprint. Inside there will be a great deal of natural light provided by two large atriums. The four storey building will include just over 1700 sq ft of retail space on the ground floor providing students and locals alike with extra conveniences.
The building which has been carefully designed with the surrounding area in mind, features a green roof encouraging the growth of vegetation and thus enabling the elevation to blend in more effectively.
Elements Europe’s Tom Shilito said “This scheme has been a really interesting one to work on. We have had to put a lot of thought into how to modularise the uniquely shaped building as well as working with the large atriums which also feature in the building”
The scheme will use Elements Europe’s off-site construction expertise to manufacture 75 studio and 23 en-suite Room Pods for the project, as well as communal kitchens and living spaces. Furthermore, Elements Europe will provide lift and stair cores, corridors, ceiling and floor cassettes, as well as roof structures for the scheme.
The site which is located at a junction of two major routes into the city centre is perfectly suited to modular with its need for a quick build programme.
Elements Europe’s Room Pod solution also boasts excellent acoustic performance making it perfect for accommodation situated on a busy road.
Kevin Arthur, Sales Director for Elements Europe commented: “Manufacture of the Room Pods will commence at the start of July and will be installed from the beginning of September.” Kevin added, “Careful planning will go into making sure that the module installation is carefully sequenced to ensure little disruption on this busy junction.”
The accommodation is located near to Cambridge University which is just a short walk away, as well as shops, restaurants and amenities.
The accommodation will be operated by CRM Ltd, the largest independent accommodation company in the country, managing 19,000 beds nationwide.