Leeds-based contractor, Priestley Construction, has completed work on bespoke student apartments in Lancaster.
The project included a 19,217 sq. ft new build and the conversion of a five-storey grade-II listed building, resulting in 89 new apartments, as well as communal spaces for residents.
The completion of the project was not without its issues and demonstrated Priestley Construction’s technical proficiency in the delivery.
A partly designed project and a partially completed M & E report identified several issues that had to be addressed.
Lift installations and wiring throughout the build failed to meet current specifications and flooring was deemed inadequate throughout the development. This culminated in Priestley Construction replacing all wiring, stripping out floors, and adding 30 tonnes of steel to the existing Grade-II listed building.
To compound matters further, works had been uncovered that were not undertaken by the previous developer and were not in accordance with Planning Permissions. This involved additional building work being redone and further dialogue with the planning and conservation officers. Priestley Construction carried out many intrusive investigations into the building envelope of the new build, to prove its long-term structural integrity and fire compartmentation in line with current Building Regulations in order to support for funding purposes. All of these elements took time which led to delays in the project from the outset.
Having been instructed in early February 2021, with the prevailing issues uncovered in the part build, Priestley Construction felt the best solution was to completely restart the design process, reworking the programme entirely, which created a delay in the delivery.
The final project was completed for the client Priestley Homes with Together as the funding partner. The final apartments were made available via Home for Students.
Nathan Priestley, chief executive officer of the Priestley Group, said: “The delivery of Cable Street was a success despite the setbacks that we encountered. It is a testament to the team at Priestley Construction, their expertise and technical proficiency have allowed us to deliver top-notch student accommodation to our usual industry-renowned high standards. We have transformed the Grade-II listed building into a striking, modern communal area for the students to enjoy”
Lancaster is home to two internationally-renowned higher education institutions – Lancaster University and The University of Cumbria’s Lancaster campus – bringing almost 19,000 students to the area.
https://priestleyconstruction.co.uk/
