Member Article

Developer Gets Top Marks For Completing Major Student Accommodation Scheme

York based property development company, S Harrison has completed work on a major new student accommodation scheme in Leeds city centre that is immediately fully occupied and has garnered first class plaudits from The University of Leeds.

Blenheim Point is located on Blenheim Walk and has 180 en-suite bedrooms over seven floors, in 29 cluster apartments, designed specifically for overseas and postgraduate students. Earlier this year, The University of Leeds signed a 25-year lease on the 60,000 sq. ft scheme.

GMI Construction Group PLC was the principal contractor, and as part of the work a former office building that was previously home to Rex Procter & Partners, was demolished to make way for the new building. Last year the longstanding construction consultancy expanded into new offices at Riverside West in Leeds city centre.

Ian Robertson, Director of Residential Services at The University of Leeds, said: “Blenheim Point is a stunning residence in a superb location just a short walk from The University of Leeds and we were keen to agree a lease on such a stand-out development. S Harrison’s collaborative approach gave us the opportunity to create a strong partnership, influence the scheme’s bespoke specification and ultimately by working together we have delivered a city centre development that we can both be very proud of.

“The quality of Blenheim Point and the fact that work completed in such good time, meant it was ready to house our initial intake of 100 postgraduate students who arrived in Leeds to study over the summer months.

“Blenheim Point is now a very sought-after development within our estate, it sets a high benchmark in Leeds, and we’ve received lots of positive feedback from its residents.”

Ann Scott, Managing Director at York based S Harrison, said: “In recent years we’ve completed work on several student accommodation schemes, totalling almost 1,500 bedrooms, but Blenheim Point is our first in Leeds, and we’re delighted with its success. Agreeing the lease with The University of Leeds is a major coup and as the University welcomes its new intake of students this week, it’s rewarding to see the building come to life.

“GMI Construction has done an excellent job and the development is now a genuine landmark building on a key gateway into the city centre from North Leeds.”

Andy Bruce, Managing Director at GMI, said: “Blenheim Point is the second purpose-built student accommodation scheme that we’ve completed for S Harrison this summer, following the recent handover of a 106-bedroom development in the Walmgate Conservation area of York.

“Blenheim Point occupies a prominent position, between Leeds College of Art and Leeds Student Medical Practice. It’s designed to respect its location, as well as the heritage that surrounds it, and has significantly improved the public realm on a busy route into the city centre.”

Blenheim Point’s bedrooms are spread across a range of cluster apartments that all benefit from large, shared kitchen, living and dining spaces. There are also extensive communal facilities including study rooms, games area, common room, a spacious green courtyard and cycle parking.

S Harrison has also created a charitable legacy for Blenheim Point by signing up to a ‘5 for 5’ partnership which will see it donate £500 each year, for five years, to Simon on the Streets. The Leeds based independent charity offers emotional and practical support on an outreach basis to rough sleepers or those at risk of rough sleeping.

S Harrison has a wealth of experience delivering student accommodation schemes after successfully completing five developments in York in recent years, totalling 983 beds. The developer has also recently completed work on a 240 bed student development in Edinburgh and a 63 bed scheme in Newcastle.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steven Wright .