Major construction milestone reached at Leeds student accommodation project

GMI Construction Group PLC and Pickard Properties have marked a major milestone in the construction of a landmark £40m student accommodation scheme in the heart of Leeds. The frame and concreting of the first of three blocks, which will collectively form the 604-bed purpose-built Carlton Hill apartment development, has been completed to a height of eight storeys.

It will be followed by the completion of the two remaining blocks, the tallest of which will reach 15 storeys, before the next stage of construction, which includes internal works, glazing and fit outs, followed by the installation of several fully landscaped three-storey sky gardens.

Carlton Hill, which is scheduled to be complete in quarter three of 2023, has been designed to provide affordable living, with a strong emphasis on an environment to support students’ mental health and well-being.

In addition to the sky gardens, students will be able to enjoy a landscaped courtyard providing a combination of natural and interactive spaces for studying and socialising. The development is replacing a 239-bed student accommodation block, also owned by Pickard Properties, which was demolished to make way for this new contemporary scheme.

The developer has a long-standing involvement in student accommodation in the city and has worked closely with Unipol Student Homes, which will lease the building for exclusive use by students attending the University of Leeds.

Carlton Hill is also representative of the high-quality Leeds schemes in its portfolio, which are helping to transform the city’s skyline and form part of its wider construction and regeneration activities across the North of England and Midlands.

Andrew Hurcomb, Divisional Managing Director of GMI, said: “We are making excellent progress on this scheme and block A reaching its full height is an important milestone in a project that will enhance the quality of purpose-built student accommodation in the city.

“Building on our already well-established track record of delivering student residential developments, we are proud to be working in collaboration with Pickard Properties, which with its design team have created a well-being focused scheme in a great location that will be enjoyed by University of Leeds students for many years to come.”

Miles Pickard, Director of Pickard Properties, said: “Carlton Hill is really starting to take shape and GMI Construction is doing a great job in realising our vision for the development. Having now stood on the top of block A we can really visualise the environment students will be able to enjoy from the sky gardens, which will be very important to their wellbeing.

“As requirements for student accommodation evolves, we recognise the importance of creating attractive and engaging spaces and Carlton Hill will set the standard for places to live and learn in the city.”