Construction milestone at £50m student accommodation project
GMI Construction Group and developer Olympian Homes have marked the topping out of Rialto House, a £50m purpose-built student accommodation scheme on the site of York’s former Rialto Cinema and Mecca bingo hall.
The four-storey development in Fulford, named after the cinema which once played host to a performance by The Beatles, will offer 275 beds and 80,000 sq ft of living space.
It will feature a range of amenities including a gym, yoga studio, games room, co-working spaces, group dining areas, integrated cycle parking, and landscaped courtyards. Honouring its cinematic roots, the development will also feature an in-house cinema.
Rialto House is scheduled for completion in time for the 2025 academic year intake, and is expected to make a significant contribution to alleviating the city’s current shortfall of student accommodation.
William Sharpey, senior construction manager for Olympian Homes, said: “Reaching the topping-out stage on time and within budget is a major milestone, and perfectly positions us to focus on achieving practical completion by June 2025.
“Rialto House is set to raise the bar for student living. In a market with a significant undersupply of purpose built student accommodation (PBSA), it will provide students with an exceptional living experience, helping them thrive both academically and socially.”
Ed Weston, GMI’s commercial director, added: “The topping-out of Rialto House is a testament to the seamless collaboration between GMI and Olympian Homes.
“It signifies the progress we’ve made in bringing this project to life, balancing and blending a modern design with the site’s historical legacy.
“We’re proud to deliver a sustainable, best-in-class accommodation that addresses York’s critical need for high-quality student housing, while also enhancing the area’s unique character and community.”
