ALUK, the aluminium products specialist, partnered with the fabricating and installation specialist EYG on a new luxury Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development in the centre of Coventry.
Aluminium windows, doors, curtain walling and entrance systems in AluK’s market leading systems have been installed at 33 Parkside on behalf of Prestige Student Living.
The project is aimed at the luxury end of that market, with a mix of single-bed studios and two-bed apartments complemented by a cinema room, roof terrace, fitness suite and landscaped courtyards.
The 11-storey steel framed development was a design and build project by Construction Partnership UK (CPUK), based in Skelmersdale, and the architects were student housing specialists O’Connell East Architects of Manchester.
EYG fabricated and installed windows and doors throughout in AluK’s suited 58BW and 58BD window and door system, while the entrance system is in AluK’s Secured by Design accredited heavy duty GT55 TB system. The curtain walling is AluK’s SL52 flexible capped solution.
Key to the contract was EYG’s ability to work to a tight timeframe, so AluK’s support in guaranteeing product availability and working to short lead times was an important benefit.
Stephen Watkins, AluK’s Head of Projects, commented: “We have already worked with EYG on similar PBSA projects at Laurence Street in York and Tate House in Leeds, supporting them with technical guidance where required and on time, in full deliveries.”
EYG’s Managing Director, Nick Ward added: “We were delighted to work with AluK on this exciting project. We have carried out a number of installations in this sector, having partnered on student accommodation developments right across Yorkshire.
“Our commercial department has the capacity to take on multi-million pound projects and a proven track record of delivering complex projects efficiently and on time. We were thrilled to be asked to collaborate on such a prestigious development and it’s a pleasure to see the finished result, which is inspirational and aspirational student housing, which will be a joy to live in.”
Even with a fall in the number of overseas students coming to study in the UK, the Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector continues to boom. The UK is now second only to North America in terms of value, with market estimates of around £50bn.
Around 25,000 new PBSA beds are still being delivered into the UK market each year and, outside of London, Coventry is one of the biggest growth areas. The tallest building in the city is a new 20-storey student complex, and student living is helping to drive regeneration on many brownfield sites in the city centre, as it celebrates its year as the UK City of Culture in 2021.
With a 4,000 increase in UK and overseas student numbers being planned by Coventry University over the next five years, much of the accommodation needs of these new students will continue to be satisfied by the private sector via PBSA.
