Northern Ireland-based contractor McAleer & Rushe has secured a £42 million contract for a student accommodation scheme in England.

Under the Global Student Accommodation (GSA) contract, a 1970s office building in Norwich city centre will be transformed into a new 684-bed student residence.

Designed by Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson, the development will retain the existing structure of St Crispin's House, but will be fully refurbished and extended, stripping out the shell and core, and constructing additional floors to create a seven-storey building. A five-storey extension to the rear of the building is also included within the development.

-- Advertisement --

The property also provides 9,500 square ft of internal communal space, with high-quality facilities including common rooms, gym, multi-purpose event room, study spaces and laundry, as well as a large external courtyard, cycle spaces and EV charging points. The development is projected to be delivered by Summer 2023 and will be operated by Yugo, GSA's global operating partner.

Mark Elliott, Contracts Director at McAleer & Rushe said: "We are delighted to be appointed to transform this significant site in in Norwich city centre and to work closely with Global Student Accommodation, once again.

"In delivering a facility tailored to the evolving needs and expectations of the city's students, we will also be sensitively restoring and conserving a derelict building in a sustainable way for future generations. By retaining the existing building structure with a large section of the roof level designed as a green roof, this major new development will be a visually impressive and an exciting new addition to the city's vibrant community mix."

The contract represents the fifth partnership between McAleer & Rushe and Global Student Accommodation, which included the award-winning Catherine House development in Portsmouth.