McLaren Construction Midlands and North has been appointed by its property arm as main contractor on a £160m student accommodation project in Manchester.
The two divisions are working together for the second time in the city, having previously collaborated on St Gabriel’s Court.
The L&G-funded Upper Brook Street development, near the University of Manchester, will deliver 737 student bedrooms across two towers of nine and 23 storeys.
It includes 288 studios and 449 cluster bedrooms along with a gym, fitness studio, and shared study and social spaces.
The project site lies within the Oxford Road Corridor and aims to achieve BREEAM Excellent, EPC A, and Platinum Wired Score ratings.
Plans also include a community facility, a café and new public realm with landscaping and tree planting.
Early works are under way with piling and ground clearance completed and both tower cranes installed.
Slip-form rigs are expected to be in place before the end of 2025, with the concrete frame due to begin early next year.
The concrete frame will be built using fully prefabricated unitised panels incorporating brickwork and windows.
Bathroom pods supplied by Walker Modular will also be installed offsite.
Completion is expected in time for the 2028 academic year.
McLaren Construction Midlands and North regional director Luke Arnold said the project would showcase “modern methods of delivery and meaningful social value”.
Source: McLaren announcement
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Ben Vogel