Member Article

Trio of construction firms work together on £35 million former York Press building

A trio of construction firms are working together on a £35 million development at the former York Press buildings.

York-based William Anelay Ltd, founded in 1747, together with Vinci Construction UK Ltd and R N Wooler & Co Ltd, based in Keighley, are all involved in different phases of construction and restoration work on Walmgate.

The firms will develop 648 student flats on the site of what used to be the offices of the York Press newspaper and Volvo car dealership as well as a range of other resources including a new build hotel.

Anelay site manager Adam Hickey said: “It works like an orchestra,” explained Anelay Site Manager Adam Hickey “with all parties in constant communication with each other.

“We are all taking charge of different phases of the overall project and close liaison is essential in such a tight working environment.

“A weekly meeting is convened between senior figures from each of the neighbouring projects to review and plan all deliveries, whilst assessing the impact to the local businesses and home owners.

“This is collaborative work in the real sense of the word by three firmsthat are normally competing against each other.

“We have overseen demolition, alterations and the construction of an extension to the Poads whilst Vinci focus on the new build student accommodation to the rear, due for completion in August 2015, and Woolers tasked with a new hotel build on adjacent land.”

William Anelay Ltd started on site at the start of February 2014 and completed their phase of works, valued at £780k, at the end of August.

The overall project is being delivered on behalf of Student Castle under the auspices of CSP Architects of York, M&E specialists Martin Design Associates and structural engineers Ward Cole.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .