Two Student Housing Schemes Announced For Belfast

McAleer & Rushe has has announced two major student housing schemes, which will deliver over 1200 rooms, in Belfast.

Planning applications have been submitted to develop an 804-room scheme in a 240,000 sq ft building on College Avenue, and a 476-room scheme, in a 135,000 sq ft building, on McClintock Street, on the site of the former 10-storey Belfast Metropolitan College building, which is set to be demolished to make way for the new scheme.

Stephen Surphlis Property Director of McAleer & Rushe said: "These are large scale development and investment projects which underpin our confidence in Belfast and particularly the student accommodation sector where we already have a significant presence. The development of 1280 rooms in the City Centre will help to address the current shortage of purpose built student accommodation which is significantly below the UK average. We are planning to commence construction this Autumn with the developments being completed for the in-take of students in summer 2017."

Both city centre Belfast student housing schemes will offer a range of accommodation including studios and primarily four, five and six bedroom 'cluster' flats, each with their own ensuite bathrooms and study zones with a common kitchen, dining and living zone and with extensive common areas for recreation and study, maximising the opportunity for social interaction.

The McClintock Street student housing scheme occupies the former Belfast Metropolitan College building and forms part of a mixed use scheme, which will also include a 206-bedroom 4-star hotel which will have an entrance facing on to Blackstaff Square.

Both student housing developments and the hotel, which have been designed by Belfast-based Consarc Design Group, will create in excess of 300 jobs during the building phase.

(CD)