DEVELOPMENT FOCUS
Neil Collins Homes designed a scheme that would retain the heritage facades of the Chapel and Crosshalls, and enhance the appearance of the more modern Tinlings
Fact File Developer: Vita Student
Location: Crosshall Street Liverpool Size: 120,000 sq ft
Lead contractor: Russells Construction
Type: Private student accommodation
Status: In progress. Completion in three phases: September 2013, December 2013, September 2014
Architect: Neil Collins Homes
Project value: Development £27m
built to support the internal floors and will be fixed to support the external walls before the retention system is removed. The concrete floors will be poured in situ with access through the window openings. This will be followed be a full internal fit out with partition walls, high quality bathroom and kitchens installed, right down to the beds and televisions. Andrew Russell, managing director of Russells Construction, said, “Although two of the buildings have architecturally important heritage facades, the internal structure and layout of The Chapel and Crosshalls are no longer fit for purpose. A demolition and internal rebuild provides the best solution for protecting their facade and enhancing the street scene, while also making best use of space to create a modern, comfortable interior for residents. Tinlings is from a different era but its original design will be echoed in the new glass and aluminium curtain walling, and a two-storey upward extension will provide additional space.
“This is a technically challenging project to which we bring expertise in heritage refurb and new build, and apply techniques developed building on small footplates within tight site constraints to effectively construct the building from the inside out. The improvements will ultimately lengthening the lifespan and bring back into use three large and important city centre buildings.”
OCCUPANCY AND FUTURE Serving the student population of Liverpool, home to three universities and several colleges, the scheme is already proving popular with both investors and young people coming into the city to study. Off plan sales have already seen sales reach 60 per cent at Crosshalls, while The Chapel and Tinlings are already sold out.
The first part of the project to be complete will be The Chapel in September, ready for the new academic year. The Tinlings will be ready for occupation by the end of the year while
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Crosshalls, the largest phase, will finish September 2014. Vita Student is a luxury student property brand founded by Cheshire entrepreneurs Chris Oakes, of Alderley Edge- based luxury residential developer Huntsmere, and Mark Stott of Wilmslow-based property investment company, Select Property.
Chris Oakes says, “We selected this development for its potential to provide much needed student accommodation in this area and embraced the opportunity to revitalise these
buildings in the heart of the city. We’re pleased work is progressing well and look forward to completions starting to come through at the end of the summer. The interest we’ve had in this scheme
demonstrates the huge demand there is for this type of high quality product in Liverpool.”
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The first part of the project to be complete will be The Chapel in September, ready for the new academic year
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