An official topping out ceremony has taken place at a multi-million pound student accommodation development in Derby being built by Clegg Construction.
The project for developers Jensco (Derby) in Agard Street has now reached its highest structural point.
Located in Derby’s Friar Gate quarter the building will provide 244 bedrooms for the University of Derby and is on target to be completed in time for new 2018/19 academic year.
The nine-storey building will comprise of 244 en-suite rooms based around a series of communal areas featuring kitchen, dining and lounge areas, eight of which are fully accessible for wheelchair users. Additional features include ground floor common room areas with reception and three lifts.
The topping out ceremony saw representatives from Clegg Construction and Jensco (Derby) joined by Sigmat/PAW Structures, who designed the building’s steel frame. The party also included guests from RPS and Cunniff Design, who are all involved in the building’s construction. Representatives from University of Derby and Marketing Derby were also present.
Simon Blackburn, Managing Director of Clegg Construction, said: “The building is in a prominent position and has caught the attention of many due to the tower crane above the Derby skyline for months.
“We are delighted to have reached the highest structural point and we are on track to complete the building in May 2018.
“We are looking forward to handing it over to Jensco (Derby) and we hope that the students who move in will be extremely happy with their new accommodation.”
Nigel Bobroff, CEO of Jensco, said: “Clegg Construction is doing a superb job on a difficult site. This is our third large development with Clegg as main contractor and we really enjoy working with them. We are currently looking at other opportunities in the Midlands and Clegg Construction is definitely our contractor of choice.”
As part of the build, historic tram tracks dating back to the 1800s were uncovered. The 45-metre section, which carried horse-powered trams, was removed by Clegg Construction and will be re-installed just before the project is completed.
The accommodation neighbours the University of Derby’s Law School, which is situated in the One Friar Gate Square building, also built by Clegg Construction.
Clegg Construction has recently completed a number of successful student accommodation contracts included a £3.3m 88-bedroomed development in Nottingham city centre’s Old Market Square and an £8.8m 107-bedroomed development for Empiric in Solly Street, Sheffield.
