A state-of-the-art student accommodation and outreach facility.
Located in the World Heritage Site of Holyrood in the City of Edinburgh, the project is primarily to accommodate overseas postgraduate students. It is also intended to provide an outreach centre which will become the focal point for the University’s community-based teaching activities and continuous professional development courses.
A UK first in student accommodation
Recognising that not all students want to live alone or in small groups, the Holyrood student accommodation has a postgraduate Residents Hall where 480 students cook, dine and socialise together. Each floor of the Hall has its own lounge with easy access from one lounge to another allowing for one quiet and another more active area for residents to mingle in. Since the Hall opened in 2015, the feedback from residents has been very positive.
Construction expertise supported by offsite efficiency
The construction delivery team, which included Balfour Beatty’s M&E specialists, Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick worked together from the earliest stages of the project to coordinate the design and early supply chain engagement. This approach realised efficiencies including maximising the use of off-site construction of bathrooms that were delivered just in time for installation. It also helped allow 15,000m3 of demolition materials to be re-used on-site, saving on time and cost.
A variety of accommodation types
Through eight different accommodation types the Holyrood student accommodation provides a wide range of options for students. Options include living in cluster flats, residence halls, studio flats, bedrooms with and without en-suite bathrooms, garden and larger rooms. Twin and shared bathrooms also add to the wide choice of accommodation and price options available to students.
Finance solution
Project finance was arranged through the capital markets following a preferred bidder funding competition to, deliver optimum funding terms. Balfour Beatty’s experience of these structures was key in managing lender and investor due diligence processes in a timely manner.
Operating the project
We provide expertise to the project including management of utilities, grounds maintenance, pest control, building maintenance, and the project life cycle fund.
The building maintenance service operates 24/7, on both a scheduled and reactive basis. The PPM programme operates in conjunction with the helpdesk and provides open access to nominated persons.
Awards
- Best Student Housing, CUBO 2016
- University Halls of Residence, Property Week Awards 2016
- Student Accommodation Project of the Year, Scottish Property Awards 2017
