Aston University clears the way for student high rise living

Following the demolition of the 1970s Dalton and Lawrence Towers by DSM for the £300 million campus redevelopment in May work has begun on the foundations of the new student blocks that will replace them. BAM Construction Midlands was awarded the £45 million contract to replace the towers with two units of accommodation of between four and 18 storeys, http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/52388-bam-wins-45m-accomodation-deal/index.html.

The earlier residential blocks, providing 1,300 en-suite rooms, in the first phase of the campus redevelopment were constructed by Carillion.

A view of the most recent completed block.


Photos showing the site after the two towers' demolition and work on the foundations of the new blocks are shown below from the 27th June and 10th July.

27th June









10th July







Meanwhile across the road from the site of the new blocks developer Watkin Jones Group has proposed converting the Grade II-listed former Central Fire Station on Lancaster Circus into £50 million scheme of 826 student rooms alongside 17,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and business space in a scheme designed by architect K4. Funding for the development which includes a 30 storey tower is already committed so that if planning approval, planning application 2011/03655/PA, is granted work is scheduled to start later this year for completion in 2013.

Images of the proposed design and images of the site from the 10th July are shown below.











The view into the central yard and the night render of the view looking towards the tower at the rear of the yard.



This proposed student accommodation will compliment a block on nearby Lancaster Street and Bagot Street with construction nearly complete following planning approval in July 2009.

The development designed by Formroom Architects comprises two blocks. Block A comprises a tower element of 17 storeys fronting onto Lancaster Street with a lower tower element facing Bagot Street of 10 storeys. This block provides 416 bedspaces arranged over 77 clusters. Block B is an L-shaped block facing Staniforth Street and the southern car park and is 8 and 9 storeys in height. This block provides 250 bedspaces arranged over 42 clusters

Photos of this development, from the 10th July, are shown below.

















These two schemes will help to accomodate more students in the city with accommodation in the city centre for only a third of the city's 49,000 full time students at the city’s universities and colleges.

Comments

Future Lets said…
This is a common sight across cities all over the country with student accommodation appearing wherever there is space to fit them.

Popular Posts