GMI Construction Group Plc has secured a contract with Olympian Homes for the construction of the Rialto House PBSA scheme on the site of a former cinema and bingo hall in York. The scheme is being delivered in partnership with funder Cain International.
Located to the southeast of the city centre in the Fulford area, the 80,000 sq ft site will feature a four-storey building and will include 275 student beds. Amenities will include a gym, yoga studio, games room, co-working and group dining areas, and in recognition of the location’s history, Rialto House will feature a cinema – the scheme, in which, being named after it. Other facilities will include integrated cycle parking and landscaped courtyards.
“We are delighted to have secured this contract with Olympian Homes, which is allowing us to continue to contribute to the creation of much needed PBSA in York. Rialto House is a great location, close to the city centre and the university campuses, and will support the city in attracting students who want to study in this beautiful and historic city.”
Andrew Hurcomb, Regional Director for Yorkshire, GMI Construction
GMI has worked closely with Olympian Homes throughout the Pre-Construction Services Agreement period to develop a buildable, cost-effective and sustainable design.
The Rialto House site is located within an area of archaeological importance and adjacent to the Central Core Historic Conservation Area. Opened in 1913 and demolished in 2003, the cinema played host to many famous performances, including The Beatles who performed there four times in 1963. Latterly, the site of the cinema became a car park for the adjacent bingo hall, which has also since closed and is included in the footprint of this PBSA scheme.
“This marks the delivery phase of another scheme for Olympian Homes and aims to address the undersupply of high-quality, PBSA within York. It has been a pleasure to work with the Council, local stakeholders and GMI to deliver this scheme.”
James Lindridge, COO & Development Director, Olympian Homes
With the current nationwide undersupply, Rialto House supports the need to address the shortage of PBSA in the city. Following analysis of the rental markets within the top 50 UK universities, it was reported earlier this year that York had the highest demand for PBSA in the country.
GMI, which will utilise a predominantly local supply chain on the project, is highly active in the PBSA market, with this new development bringing the number of student beds it is building in York to almost 600. This includes 303-beds at a scheme in James Street on behalf of York-based S Harrison Developments, which is currently under construction.
“From identifying GMI as our Contracting Partner on Rialto House to getting on site it has been a positive journey, not without its challenges in a difficult economic environment for construction. I look forward to working with GMI on the delivery of the scheme and exploring synergy between our businesses on upcoming opportunities.”
William Sharpey, Senior Construction Manager, Olympian Homes
Construction at Rialto House is due to begin in the coming weeks, following the completion of archaeological works. An open day displaying any finds will be held at the site once the archaeological works are complete.
