Ground was broken yesterday on an £11million development to help meet the demand for new student accommodation in Aberdeen.
The six-storey building in Powis Place, a mix of two to nine-bedroom flats along with “studio” apartments, will cater for 196 people.
The location for the Alumno Developments and Kier Construction scheme, within walking distance of the University of Aberdeen’s main King’s College campus and the city centre, is considered key to the success of the project.
There are more than 22,000 full-time scholars in the city, at Aberdeen University, Robert Gordon University and North East Scotland College.
Demand for good quality student accommodation far outstrips supply at present.
The Powis Place development includes onsite management facilities and modern amenities, as well as secure cycle spaces as part of an effort to encourage a reduction in car use.
David Campbell, managing director of Alumno Developments, said: “Starting work at Powis Place is an important step toward delivering on our promise to bring a new standard of bespoke accommodation to a city crying out for new facilities.
“Aberdeen has a significant international reputation as a first class destination for study – by creating this bespoke new accommodation, we will further enhance the city’s offering to a dynamic, cosmopolitan student body.
“Further supporting the city’s already renowned, excellent student experience is a key part of our drive to deliver exceptional student homes in Scotland and we aim to complete the construction programme in time for the start of the 2016/17 academic year.”
The building was designed by Carson and Partners, and members of the project team supporting Alumno Developments also include Fairhurst, Hawthorne Boyle and Turner and Townsend.
Brian McQuade, managing director of Kier Construction’s Scotland and north-east England business, said: “We look forward to transforming the site into modern and sustainable student flats – providing much needed accommodation for those attending Aberdeen’s further education facilities.”
The new rector of Aberdeen University, Green Party co-convener Maggie Chapman, has said that tackling the chronic shortage of student accommodation would be the main focus of her tenure.
More than 200 freshers who arrived in Aberdeen in September had to live in temporary housing following an “unprecedented surge” in applications for accommodation.