Students homes bid can go ahead
New student accommodation is to be built next to the River Avon after new investment from a real estate firm.
The new building overlooking Weston Island, historically the site of the Bristol Brass Company’s brass mill from 1711 to 1813, will be a mixed-use development to house 120 students from both of the city’s two universities.
The development will replace the “Hollis Industries plc” building, a pump manufacturing company that has been dissolved.
Planning consent was granted in December 2021 to redevelop the Hollis Building and now real estate investment management firm Heitman has agreed to fund purpose-built student accommodation by Alumno Group on the site.
“Transforming a poor-quality industrial site into a high-quality building that will enhance a World Heritage Site and provide much-needed student accommodation is so rewarding,” said AWW Architects director Phil Bevan.
With a building value of £11 million, it will feature a combination of ensuite bedrooms in 5, 7 and 10-person cluster flats and self-contained studio flats.
In addition, the site will include a new office, storage and distribution space for the existing tenant Mercy in Action, a local charity using the space as a distribution centre for clothing.
To secure planning permission, the design of the building had to reflect the site’s location within Bath Conservation Area and a World Heritage Site, along with its proximity to Grade II listed buildings Rackfield Place and Twerton Viaduct.
AWW Architects’ successful proposal use san industrial influenced design which references historic waterside mill buildings.
This includes sawtooth roof detail, along with other areas featuring local rubble stone and buff brick elevations.
Meanwhile, the biodiverse green roof, living wall and photovoltaic panel to meet part of the building’s energy needs underline the project’s strong environmental, social and governance credentials.
The development is easily accessible to Bath city centre, being on a frequent bus route, and has various amenities in easy walking and cycling distance. The site is also just a fiveminute walk from the riverfront and Locksbrook Bath Spa campus. The proposed construction period is March 2023 to July 2024.
The Hollis Building will mark the fourth Heitman investment in Alumno projects in the past 12 months.
Heitman’s managing director of European Real Estate Investment Caleb Mercer said: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Alumno Group and deliver premium student housing assets for the UK’S growing domestic and international student populations.
“The need for student-specific housing remains significant as demand for space continues to outpace supply.
Mr Bevan said: “We’re delighted to be working with Alumno on this exciting project.”
Alumno managing director David Campbell said: “We are delighted to be working with Heitman again on this new and exciting project, building on our solid relationship.
“This level of investment is a real boost to our business and again demonstrates a significant confidence and commitment in Alumno to deliver the best in student accommodation design and development.
To be able to work in such a beautiful city as Bath for the first time is a major opportunity for us.”