Development begins on £100m residential scheme at former industrial site

Work has begun on developer Elliot Group’s £100m Aura project in Liverpool, which will see 142 one- and two-bedroom homes and more than 1,007 student housing units.

The mixed use development. on the former Erskine industrial Estate in Islington,  will see the construction of key worker and student accommodation for hospital staff working at the new £450m Royal Hospital nearby, as well as new homes for student nurses and doctors.

Homes will also be available on the wider market and are expected to appeal to workers in the rapidly-developing Knowledge Quarter, on whose northern boundary the scheme sits.

The Falconer Chester Hall-designed development will boast state-of-the-art facilities, including yoga studios, a residents’ gym, a bar and study zones and is being built by Forrest Construction.

The 14-storey development comprises two buildings tied together by public realm, incorporating mature planting.

Developer Elliot Lawless, of Elliot Group, said: “We expect our residents to be very discerning and we’ve put a great deal of focus on issues such as public realm and materials.

“This is a gateway development for the Knowledge Quarter and we’re conscious of needing to set the bar high.”

Work is expected to be completed by August 2020.