Developers reach for the sky
JAMIE BARLOW tales a look at the progress of a number of major building schemes in and around the city centre
NEW pictures show the scale of the progress made on some of Nottingham’s biggest new-build developments.
1. The vast structure is in position for the £45m York Place building, under construction on the site of a former office block that was demolished a number of years ago and known as York House.
The original plan was to create 422-bed student bedrooms. However, developers went back to the drawing board and came back with proposals to revise the scheme and create an additional 50 beds.
Last year, Alex Newbold, land manager at the Cassidy Group, said: “Cassidy Group are pleased to be bringing the York Place development as one of a number of upcoming developments that we are bringing forward to Nottingham, building on the success of our previous developments within the city.”
Work started on the project at the end of October last year with the building designed in such a way as to protect historic caves under the site.
Last year, developers said they were hopeful of an August 2021 completion date.
2. Progress has also been made on a nine-storey block of student accommodation near Nottingham Railway Station.
The 323-bedroom building at 25 Station Street is part of a development delivering Grade A office space at 11 Station Street, including a roof garden and electric car charging points.
Sean Akins, managing director at Bildurn, the developer behind the project, said: “The Vita student accommodation scheme at Station Street is progressing very well and is on track for completion in July next year.”
3. Hundreds of student bedrooms have been built at the Sandhills development, in Talbot Street, in the city centre, following the demolition of former school buildings and a Saab car showroom.
A statement on the Unipol Housing website read: “The development offers stunning social spaces, including: a large shared lounge area, a demonstration kitchen for events, and quiet study room – perfect for group work or for if you’d prefer a change of scenery from your room or the library. It also includes a private courtyard, free on-site gym, secure bicycle storage and on-site security.”
4. Retailers have signed up for nearly all the new units at Nottingham’s new multi-million-pound Broadmarsh Car Park and Bus Station.
The new tenants haven’t been revealed yet, but property consultants FHP, who are acting on behalf of Nottingham City Council, said a mixture of independent, regional and national operators were set to open. Construction work is continuing on the six units, alongside the new library and bus station. Five of the outlets front Carrington Street and one is inside the bus station.
In September, Oliver Marshall, FHP associate director, said: “We have already secured five tenants out of six which really demonstrates the strength of the location and the confidence of prospective operators.
“The line-up includes a mix of food (grab and go and dine in), service and convenience with a great mix of independent, regional and national operators. There is one unit remaining and we expect to see good interest.” 5. The new £58 million Nottingham College city hub is now complete and welcomed its first students – from the science faculty – yesterday.
The huge facility in Canal Street was due to open its doors to more than 2,000 students and 200 staff in time for the start of this academic year, until coronavirus delayed the project.
However, builders and main cotnractors Wates formally handed the building over to the college in October.
6. A recent photo provides a glimpse of HMRC’S towering new Unity Square office block – from a different perspective.
Taken from Wilford Road, it shows the vast scale of the 10-storey building, in Queensbridge Road, that overlooks Nottingham Railway Station.
Up to 4,000 members of staff are due to move into the HMRC regional centre once the building opens next year.
The site was acquired speculatively in 2015 and the demolition of the old buildings on the site began in November 2017.
The development was given the green light in January last year.
Commuters have spoken highly about the level of investment in the city centre and Unity Square has been described as “one of the most significant schemes to break ground in the East Midlands in more than a decade”.
At its topping out earlier this year, Rachel Wood, managing director of Sladen Estates, said: “As the cornerstone of the redevelopment work taking shape across the city’s southside, Unity Square will truly put Nottingham on the map once complete.”