Cambridge Petrol Station Soon to Become Student Accommodation
A former petrol station in the heart of Cambridge has gained planning permission for redevelopment into a 98 bedroom student accommodation scheme after years of vacancy.
The Pickstock Group will deliver the £4.8 million scheme as a turnkey solution for client Cambridge Land Ltd with with Pickstock Construction acting as the main contractor and Elements Europe as the modular manufacturer.
The Pickstock Group’s design team has been working closely with architects Jefferson Sheard to modularise the development which is uniquely shaped and occupies a triangular footprint. Inside there will be a great deal of natural light provided by two large atriums. The four storey building will include just over 1700 sq ft of retail space on the ground floor providing students and locals alike with extra conveniences.
The building which has been carefully designed with the surrounding area in mind, features a green roof encouraging the growth of vegetation and thus enabling the elevation to blend in more effectively.
Elements Europe’s Tom Shilito said “This scheme has been a really interesting one to work on. We have had to put a lot of thought into how to modularise the uniquely shaped building as well as working with the large atriums which also feature in the building”
The scheme will use Elements Europe’s off-site construction expertise to manufacture 75 studio and 23 en-suite Room Pods for the project, as well as communal kitchens and living spaces. Furthermore, Elements Europe will provide lift and stair cores, corridors, ceiling and floor cassettes, as well as roof structures for the scheme.
Pickstock Construction will start on-site in mid June. The programme has been carefully planned in collaboration with Elements Europe to ensure that everything is ready for the Room Pods arriving for install at the beginning of September.
The site which is located at a junction of two major routes into the city centre is perfectly suited to modular with its need for a quick build programme of just under 7 months, allowing the accommodation to be open in time for a second intake of students in January 2015.
Kevin Arthur, Sales Director for Elements Europe commented “Manufacture of the Room Pods will commence at the start of July and will be installed from the beginning of September.” Kevin added “Careful planning will go into making sure that the module installation is carefully sequenced to ensure little disruption on this busy junction.”
The accommodation is located near to Cambridge University which is just a short walk away, as well as shops, restaurants and amenities.
The accommodation will be operated by CRM Ltd, the largest independent accommodation company in the country, managing 19,000 beds nationwide.
