UK design and build construction company – McAleer & Rushe – has been awarded a £42m contract by Global Student Accommodation (GSA), to regenerate and transform the 1970’s office building, St Crispin’s House, into a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme. The scheme is expected to complete by Summer 2023 and will be operated by Yugo, GSA’s global operating partner.
Designed by architects Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson, the St Crispin’s House building will retain the existing structure but it 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. The façade palette is made up of terracotta rain-screen tiles and aluminium cladding, with a large section of the roof level designed as a green roof.
“We are delighted to be appointed to transform this significant site 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.”
Mark Elliott, Contracts Director, McAleer & Rushe
In the heart of Norwich city centre, St Crispin’s House will deliver 684 student beds – a mix of studios and cluster flats. Rooms will be generously sized and have en-suite bathrooms. The scheme will include 9,500 sq ft of internal communal space, with amenities including common rooms, a gym, a multi-purpose event room, study spaces and laundry. Externally, there will be a large courtyard, cycle spaces and EV charging points.
“St Crispin’s is an exciting development in the vibrant university city of Norwich, and we are delighted to be working once again with McAleer & Rushe to create an outstanding living experience for our students.
“The property is well situated to serve students from the University of East Anglia, one of the UK’s top 25 ranked universities, and Norwich University of the Arts. The property is set to benefit from strong demand for student accommodation from the two universities’ 17,000 students, with 63% of their full-time students currently unable to access university or purpose built student accommodation in Norwich.”
James Childs, UK Construction Director, Global Student Accommodation
This contract represents the fifth partnership between McAleer & Rushe and GSA, which included the award-winning Catherine House development in Portsmouth. From the initial design concept to completion, the team also includes Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers, Caldwell Consulting, BPP Energy and fire consultant Jensen Hughes.
