Construction starts on 20-storey student accommodation tower

Building and civil engineering contractor Farrans Construction has started work on a 20-storey student residential accommodation block in Leeds city centre for client Infinity Construction Enterprises.

The development will be known as ‘Live Oasis: Strato’ and it will be aligned to the existing Live Oasis brand.

A total of 210 studio apartments will be provided featuring kitchen, bedroom, en suite, storage and living facilities.

Communal spaces will include a gym, meeting rooms, multimedia room, communal lounge and kitchen, study spaces, wellbeing lounge and eighth floor roof terrace.

The design and build project is expected to complete in September 2023.

The development will be exclusively managed by YPP Student and Professional Lettings, which has been operating since 2010 and currently manages over 2,000 beds over 42 properties and across 7 cities.

Cathal Montague, regional director for Farrans Construction, said: “This is an exciting project for Farrans, in one of the most ambitious and energetic cities in the UK at the moment, and it further cements our portfolio in the midlands and north of England.

“We are pleased to be building ‘Live Oasis: Strato’ in Leeds and adding to the regeneration of the city centre.

“We are looking forward to becoming part of the Leeds community and providing educational and apprenticeship opportunities for young people to experience the construction industry.”

Omar Al-Najafi, from Infinity Construction Enterprises, said: “We have been operating in Leeds for many years and we know that this part of the city has been evolving from a typically office-based environment to one of high residential demand, particularly from the growing student population.

“The development has been designed with their needs in mind, to provide a vibrant and central location to experience university life in.

“The development will push the boundaries in terms of the experience students can expect in Leeds.

“We are looking forward to working with Farrans and our wider project delivery team as we progress on site.”