The project provides student accommodation for 163 students has commenced less than half a mile from the University of Worcester St John’s campus and Arena sites.
163-bed student accommodation development opening in Autumn 2022 to be completed in Worcester.
The project is owned and is being developed by Space Developments, a social infrastructure investor / developer. Following the successful completion of strip out and enabling works, J Tomlinson, has now been appointed by Space Developments as main contractor to deliver this highly-anticipated scheme, which involves the regeneration of one of Worcester City’s largest and most historic listed buildings (formerly a YMCA-managed hostel), as well as completion of a new accommodation block that will sit adjacent to the existing structures.
Upon completion in 2022, the development will comprise of three buildings, providing a mixture of cluster flats and self-contained studios, with the main building also housing student communal areas and services.
Space Developments has worked closely with Worcester City Council’s Conservation and Planning team to ensure sympathetic conversion of the existing (“main”) building as well as completion of the design and build of the new build block adjacent to it.
J Tomlinson’s Construction/Care, Refurbishment and Engineering divisions, will be working side-by-side in a multi-team format to manage the different elements of the build and provide all associated mechanical and electrical services and installations, with the client benefitting from a unified service.
All living spaces will contain spacious bedroom areas, mostly en-suite bathrooms, kitchen and lounge areas, and large communal lounge areas. All three buildings benefit from from the gardens and a large communal courtyard that connect the buildings and provides further community environment.
Tony Shenton, director of J Tomlinson’s Construction division, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with Space Developments on this sustainable student residence scheme that will provide high-quality, spacious accommodation to students from the start of the 2022/2023 academic year.
Working closely with our in-house refurbishment and engineering teams, whom are specialists in delivering sympathetic heritage refurbishment projects, we look forward to delivering a high-quality project via a fully collaborative/joined-up approach.”
The development will create an inclusive space in which students feel part of a community, create lasting friendships and can thrive.
Previous student accommodation schemes delivered by J Tomlinson include the refurbishment of four three-storey blocks (including student dormitories and communal areas) at the University of Warwick, and the design and build of three blocks and refurbishment of the Grade II* listed Dagfa House building (Beeston) to create 217 new living spaces for University of Nottingham students.
In 2019 the company’s refurbishment and engineering division provided the mechanical and engineering (M&E) infrastructure for a 922-bed student residential scheme for Coventry University students.