Graham clinches £286m Manchester student scheme | Construction Enquirer News
Summary
Graham has secured a £286m contract to rebuild a student accommodation campus for Manchester Metropolitan University, featuring 2,300 new bedrooms and sustainable design elements.
Why It Matters
This project highlights significant investment in student housing, addressing the growing demand for accommodation in urban areas. It also emphasizes sustainability in construction, aligning with broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing community engagement.
Key Takeaways
- Graham's £286m project will provide 2,300 new student bedrooms.
- The development includes sustainable features aiming for a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating.
- Construction is set to begin soon, with phased completion by 2030.
- The project enhances community ties with commercial space and a health center.
- Innovative technologies will significantly reduce operational energy use.
The £286m project to create over 2,300 new student bedrooms is being delivered through a joint venture between the University and Unite Students. The project includes the demolition of the existing 1990s-era accommodation and the construction of two new multi-storey buildings rising to 30 storeys across two phases, providing a mix of cluster apartments and studios alongside internal and external amenity spaces. The vast student scheme will also include ground-floor commercial space and a new community health centre fronting Cambridge Street, strengthening links between the campus and the surrounding community. Designed by Cartwright Pickard architects, the scheme will achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Buildings will incorporate a highly thermally efficient fabric with a wide suite of low‑carbon and energy‑efficient technologies. Air‑source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, low-energy heat‑recovery ventilation systems and advanced intelligent building management systems will all work together to substantially reduce operational energy use and carbon emissions. Stephen Van den Hoek, regional director at Graham, said construction was scheduled to start later this year, with phase one due for completion in 2029 and phase two following in 2030.
