Engineering group clinches £30m student accommodation contract
National engineering specialist, SES Engineering Services (SES), has added to its growing list of student accommodation projects with its latest multi-million pound contract win on Manchester city centre’s ambitious £750m mixed-use development, Circle Square.
Working with Bowmer and Kirkland, the main contractor appointed by student accommodation specialist Vita Student, SES has secured its place on the team responsible for constructing Building 9, a prestigious 90,000 sq ft, 18-storey, 384-bed student accommodation block.
This latest contract win, estimated to be worth £30m, marks a welcome extension to SES’ existing involvement in the city’s newest landmark development, where it is currently on site on Buildings 10 and 11, two contemporary blocks designed to create some 716 student accommodation studios for Select Property Group.
On this latest scheme, SES will use its extensive experience of working on highly serviced multi-unit residential buildings to provide a comprehensive range of mechanical and electrical building services including energy generation, access controls, thermal insulation, above ground drainage and heating and ventilation as well as CCTV.
Due on site this Summer, SES will have to overcome a number of challenges associated with working in the fast-paced residential sector, coupled with the site’s city centre location, and amidst the ongoing construction of seven other projects currently under way on the development.
SES’ business director North and Scotland, Steve Joyce, said the team relishes work of this type: “I am absolutely delighted to be working on behalf of Bowmer and Kirkland on such a significant scheme for the city of Manchester, as well as being given the opportunity to continue to support such a ground-breaking provider of student accommodation as Vita Student.
“Within the North West we have the right combination of experience and in-house resource to deliver complex and highly serviced buildings of this type.
“With a focus on innovation, I also anticipate using Prism, our in-house offsite manufacturing facility, to prefabricate the roof top plant room.
“This approach will also facilitate important ‘just-in-time deliveries’, which will be a key driver in ensuring that we meet the timescales we have been tasked with for an August 2019 completion.”
In keeping with Buildings 10 and 11, Building 9 will also incorporate studio accommodation, as well as a movie room, café and bar on the ground floor.
Each of the 16 floors of accommodation will have its own mini-hub with integral kitchen which will be used as a social space. The building will also incorporate retail space.
Mr Joyce continued: “We very much look forward to forging a successful and ongoing working relationship with Bowmer and Kirkland in the North West.”
Bowmer and Kirkland’s regional commercial director, Paul Sykes, said: “We are delighted to be able to play such a key role in the ongoing development of Circle Square and pleased to have SES onboard as construction progresses.
“SES’ existing knowledge of the wider site, coupled with its extensive experience of delivering major student accommodation projects across the UK, gives me the confidence that they have the right skills and depth of resource to match ours which will ensure that, together, we will provide a high level of service and deliver quality workmanship.”
Designed to create a new city centre neighbourhood, the wider Circle Square masterplan includes a further 600,000 sq ft of commercial space, due to be delivered between 2022 and 2025, and an additional 150-room hotel.
