Student residential scheme ‘demonstrates value of project monitoring’

A Bristol building surveying practice that acts as the funder’s ‘eyes and ears’ on a scheme has successfully overseen the delivery of one of the city’s largest new student accommodation developments.

Trident Building Consultancy, based in Lewins Mead, Bristol, was appointed by UBS Asset Management as project monitor on the Glassworks PBSA scheme – part of the Redcliff Quarter redevelopment in Bristol city centre.

The scheme, which comprises 367 rooms, including 117 cluster rooms and 250 studios, sits on a 2.5 acre site in the heart of the city, alongside a residential development of 468 new Build to Rent homes.

It has been successfully delivered by main contractor WINVIC on behalf of the developer, Madison Cairn, was project managed by IESIS and funded by the client which has acquired the completed investment.

Trident Building Consultancy was appointed as fund monitor for the scheme, having overseen all aspects of the development from the initial technical due diligence through detailed design to completion and handover, ensuring it was delivered on time, on budget and to the requisite quality standards.

Dan Brooks-Dowsett, director of Trident’s Bristol office who took the lead on monitoring, described it as a real ‘collaborative effort between all parties’, adding it had been a genuine source of pride for him, particularly given the environmental credentials of the building.

The scheme is targeting a BREEAM excellent accreditation and features solar panels on the upper flat roof, as well as a section of green roof.
It is also connected to the Bristol Heat Network – a low carbon underground heat network that serves the city centre and is currently being expanded in terms of coverage.

The front elevation will incorporate some public artwork to enhance the local streetscape.

Brooks-Dowsett said: “Glassworks was one of the biggest student residential developments to be completed in Bristol in 2025 and it has been a really satisfying job to work on, particularly as it has got so much sustainable design incorporated.

“It’s great to see a new building in that location – I walk past it every week and I’m really proud of the work we’ve done on it.
“More importantly for the client, they’ve got a high-quality new investment which is future-proofed in terms of sustainable design.

“It’s a fantastic development which further enhances Bristol’s reputation as a fantastic place to study, and is a great addition to the city centre.”

Brooks-Dowsett added that project monitoring is an essential part of the construction process, ensuring schemes are delivered in line with the development funding agreement.

However, he added it was a part of the industry that is not often talked about, and often confused with project management.

“We are the funder’s eyes and ears,” he said.

“Our job starts with due diligence – before the funder signs the development funding agreement – and continues all the way through to practical completion and hand over of the asset.

“In many ways, our job is to ensure everything is being carried out as it should be, in accordance with the funding agreement and relevant legislative requirements. It is about having the right checks and balances in place but we do also see ourselves as a collaborative member of the project team.

“As a consultancy that specialises in project monitoring, we’re delighted UBS value the service and to have played an integral role in helping to deliver the Glassworks scheme successfully.”