Construction, property and development consultancy DBK Group has been named as project manager, cost consultant, BREEAM assessor, utilities consultant and CDM co-ordinator on a proposed 22-storey development in the centre of Birmingham.
The site will comprise of 734 student beds and will be located at Lancaster Circus.
The ambitious scheme is being developed by London-based Eley Properties UK. Subject to planning approval, DBK anticipates being able to let the build contract in late 2008, with the start on site commencing early next year.
Ian Stafford, project manager at DBK’s Birmingham office, said: “In the past five years, Birmingham’s student accommodation offer has been revitalised by the development of a number of luxury high rise buildings located in the centre of the city, purposefully catering for this young, yet discerning market. With Birmingham’s burgeoning student population at an all time high of more than 250,000, demand for high quality student accommodation shows no signs of slowing down.
“Eley’s plans for a doughnut shaped student complex, varying in height at between seven to 22 storeys, has been designed to create an architectural landmark as vehicles head into Birmingham city centre from the A38M Aston Expressway. Situated at Lancaster Circus, the proposed building complements the neighbouring recently completed student accommodation buildings and is also strategically placed opposite Aston University and Birmingham City University’s Gosta Green campus.”
The 734 student accommodation units comprise a mix of studios and bedroom clusters. Facilities include a gymnasium and laundry.
David Campbell, development director for Eley Properties UK, said: “This is our first investment in Birmingham, with the city’s booming student population capturing our interest. The latest wave of student complexes being built across the country provide very high quality accommodation in a secure environment that generates a high level of peer group interaction.
