Bildurn to add student accommodation to Station Street scheme

A 50,000 sq ft office scheme along with a student accommodation block next to Nottingham railway station has taken a step closer with plans being submitted to Nottingham City Council.

Bildurn wants to build new Grade A offices, in addition to residential accommodation, including student, on Station Street in the city. The office element, designed by Franklin Ellis Architects, is set to deliver 50,000 sq ft of accommodation, including car parking and roof terraces.

Bildurn has also revealed that it has signed an agreement with Vita Group to bring forward the residential element under its Vita Student brand. The development will house 323 bedrooms over 10 storeys.

The planning applications follow the start of demolition works on site last year, including the removal of the old employment office building which will be completed this month (May).

Managing director at Bildurn Sean Akins said: “We’re thrilled to be able to submit a comprehensive planning application to Nottingham City Council for Station Street. For many visitors to Nottingham, these buildings are the first that they see when they step out of the train station – and as our images show, our vision for the site is quite dramatically different to what has stood there for years previously.

“Our scheme will see Grade A offices and high quality residential accommodation reinvigorate the first approach to our city centre, regenerating a large chunk of currently disused and unattractive space in this prime location.

“The two buildings are next to each other, backed by the canal and fronted by a pedestrianised highway, which presents a challenge for the sequence of construction. Following completion of demolition, the residential phase is planned to start in September of this year, followed by the construction of the office block next door at No.11.”

Agent for the scheme is JLL, whose director James Keeton said: “The submission of a planning application for both elements of Station Street, following commencement of demolition, is a real positive for the south side of the city and regeneration of this area.

“Securing Vita Group, subject to planning, to bring forward high quality student residential use on the scheme is vitally important in kick starting the wider development. Its Vita Student brand will also compliment the proposed adjacent office use and boost the wider vibrancy of the area.

“Alongside this, we are pleased with the initial response from occupiers to the office element following commencement of marketing. Offering up to 50,000 sq ft of space, 11 Station Street really will raise the bar in terms of office space delivered in Nottingham to date with a large feature reception, open plan modern floor plates, balcony areas and external ground floor space, all combined with first class on-site staff amenities.

“It will be fantastic to hopefully see commencement of construction on the site this year and the transformation of this highly prominent and important scheme for the city.”

Tim Witt, development manager at Vita Group, added: “We’re very pleased to be part of this exciting development for Nottingham. Vita Group’s ethos is all about our commitment to creating connected communities, innovatively bringing together work, leisure and living. We’ve done extensive research about this prime location in Nottingham city centre and concluded it fits perfectly with our aspirations as a business to develop trusted and respected communities, bringing vitality and vibrancy to the area.”