VITA Student Accommodation, Nottingham

Introduction

In keeping with the Vita Student brand, the new addition to Nottingham’s skyline offers students style, comfort and security, whilst being located within walking distance of teaching facilities and all of Nottingham’s other fascinating attractions. The new accommodation features three tiered towers of six, eight and ten storeys, each housing a total of 321 apartments. Almost 6,000 sq ft has been designated as communal hub space for collaboration and socialising. There is also a coffee bar, separate study rooms and a private bookable lounge​.

The team agreed on completions over phases with sectional completions starting from the 31st August 2020. The project was handed over with majority of the rooms completed on the 31st August 2020 to enable occupation of the building. All areas were to be completed by the 25th September 2020, which was the agreed process of delivery following restrictions imposed by the Global COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all the logistical challenges posed by the past six months, the project was completed on time to welcome students for the new academic year.

Our Approach

To guarantee the programme was completed in time for the new academic year, the team moved swiftly by ordering long lead bricks in advance which was used for the façade. However, during the construction phase of the project, the team were presented with an issue regarding an unknown obstruction on a party wall which was unveiled as a huge transformer that provides power elsewhere in Nottingham. In order to protect and preserve this transformer, the team smartly decided to stitch-drill out the concrete so that it was possible to install our foundations and install a series of bespoke temporary works which resulted in protection of the transformer. Despite being presented with the pandemic, the site remained operational throughout and safety was assured on our sites by providing training sessions and virtual talks.

At Morgan Sindall Construction we pride ourselves by ensuring we deliver world class service and having a positive relationship with not only our clients but also neighbouring businesses. With the project location being positioned in a tight space, the project was at risk of reducing potential footfall for some of the businesses within the vicinity. The team kept all the businesses informed regarding the project and, were also able to strike a partnership with Housing Hopkinson’s to provide our team with food and drinks.

The Vita Nottingham team also developed a dedicated project microsite to keep customers, consultants and the surrounding community informed on what’s going on behind the hoardings.

Social Value Generated

Continuing our relationship with the Nottingham Trent University, the team kindly hosted a visit of 120 Nottingham Trent students taking a site tour as part of their final year Quantity Surveying assignment. This included six tours of 20 students throughout the day providing insight into the scheme and construction methodology. In addition to this, members from the team also used this project as a learning asset and have attended career talks based around Digital Construction and Women in Construction. The team also contributed to the local community including raising £1,800 for a local charity.

We’re incredibly pleased to be delivering Select’s first scheme in Nottingham. They’re a great customer and we’ve built a strong and collaborative relationship through our work on the framework, and our ongoing construction of Vita Birmingham. The student accommodation market in Nottingham is buoyant, driven by the continued growth of the two first-class universities the city boasts. Select has secured an excellent site next to the station and the apartments will undoubtedly prove a popular choice for bright and discerning academic minds.

Richard Fielding Area Director (Midlands) Morgan Sindall

It’s a testament to the strength of the relationship between Vita Student and Morgan Sindall Construction that in spite of the challenging circumstances this year, we’ve delivered a home for students in Nottingham that has provided much needed comfort and reassurance for parents and students alike. The development continues to set the standards for t the future student living experience by providing diverse, inspiring spaces in which students can succeed.

Max Bielby, Managing Director at Vita Student