400-bed student accommodation scheme is now complete
Alumno, a specialist student accommodation developer, has opened a six and seven-storey building in Leeds which will provide accommodation for the city’s student population.
The 129,000 sq ft property also features an Asian street food restaurant.
The Terry Frost Building, named after the abstract artist who taught at Leeds College of Art, was designed by architects Howarth Litchfield, built by GMI Construction Group and project managed by RPS Group.
It is located on Whitelock Street, in Sheepscar, and was built on a disused site. It comprises 105 units which will house 411 students.
Facilities include a range of communal areas, including a central hub, gym, cinema, laundry room, roof terrace with a garden and extensive secure bicycle storage.
Alumno managing director, David Campbell, said: “We have been creating student accommodation around the UK for over 15 years and are pleased to be opening our latest completed project in Leeds.
“Whitelock Street is the perfect location due its proximity to the universities and city centre, and we believe this development will be a great addition to the Sheepscar district and offer significant regeneration benefits.
“It will also make more housing available to local people by alleviating the need for students to rent family homes privately in the area.”
Jonathan Yates, managing director at Howard Litchfield Architects, said: “Sheepscar was a thriving Irish quarter with many industries including coal extraction, brickmaking and, perhaps most notably, Burmantofts Pottery nearby.
“The predominance of brickwork in the facades is a clear reference to this urban, industrial and artisan heritage and celebrates the former clay pits to the west.
“We are happy with how the design for the Terry Frost Building has evolved, which cascades down from west to east to the dramatic prow at the Sheepscar Interchange creating a new landmark gateway for the northern city and offering spectacular views of the city to the south.”
Andrew Hurcomb, divisional managing director Yorkshire, from GMI Construction, added: “We are exceptionally proud to have delivered this landmark development as part of our ongoing and successful relationship with Alumno.
“The Terry Frost Building is helping to set the standard for purpose-built student accommodation, which is sustainably designed and built to meet the needs of Leeds’ growing student population.”
Alumno has commissioned artworks which have been integrated into the public areas surrounding the development.
The atrium features a large frieze based on an abstract painting by Frost. At an opening event for the property, Frost’s son Anthony unveiled a plaque in honour of his late father.
