LEICESTER | 22 Storey Student Accom. Eastern Blvd/Jarrom St | U/C

[J400uk]

Any more updates on this project? Certainly looks very interesting, and that area could really do with some re-development.

[Leicity82]

Welcome to the forum J400uk.

For the latest on this development see this Mercury article, which I also posted on another thread (see the bold writing):

Developers set to start building in Leicester city centre as confidence grows
Friday, October 30, 2009, 09:30

3 readers have commented on this story.
Click here to read their views.

Property experts have welcomed news that developers look set to start building in Leicester city centre.

In the past week, three major developments have been reactivated.

Three years after it was first mooted, plans have finally been submitted for more than 1,200 homes and a park stretching down to the waterside at the former British United Shoe Machinery site in Ross Walk, Belgrave.

Last night a £200 million plan to convert the old Corah factory site, between Burleys Way and Abbey Park, was approved by the city council.

It had been held back because of the recession.

Bulldozers have also moved in to demolish the Wolsey knitwear factory in Belgrave, Leicester.

This will make way for a £17m redevelopment, including more than 100 homes.

Property consultant Rick Moore said the projects were "enormously welcome".

He said: "It's been a miserable time with not a lot happening for a while. It may be that developers, house builders, office builders or whoever are starting to dip their toes in the water again because there's a feeling we've reached the bottom of the market.

"But it would be wrong to suggest that this means the worst is over.

"There is still a lot of caution out there and a lack of money available for development."

Demolition of the buildings at the British Shoe site has already begun.

If the project is approved by Leicester City Council the first phase should be completed by April 2011.

Architects Marchini Curran Associates said the initial phase of the scheme would include 191 houses and flats.

A spokesman said they were "hopeful" that the rest of the development, which could also include bars and restaurants, would be completed within six years.

They said the entire cost of the development would be "a lot higher" than the £80m reported three years ago.

It is the latest regeneration scheme to be revived amid signs that some confidence is returning for developers hit by the credit crunch. Bowbridge Group wants to build between 240 and 270 flats, restaurants, cafes and bars plus a bowling alley.

Other planned developments in the city remain at a standstill, including a 39-storey glass-fronted hotel and apartment in Bath Lane.

Work on the first phase should have started earlier this year, but bosses at developers Westbridge Living put it on hold because of the economic climate.

Work on a block of student flats at the corner of Eastern Boulevard and Jarrom Street should be finished in 2011. Nick Marchini, from Marchini Curran Associates, said "complicated" planning, rather than the economic climate, meant the Ross Walk development had not started sooner. Nearly 120 of the properties in the first phase will be low-cost homes available for rent and shared ownership.

See: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.u...l/article.html

[Chisit]

I think that as soon as someone breaks the mould with a tower then I think more will be planned or continued.

Dont forget, noone has taken that extra step just yet and as soon as they do then that will set the bench mark.

I dont know if you read the saturday leics merc but even the glass tower from the artist immpresion on the railway redevelopment has been removed!

[Leicity82]

Was it to do with Network Rail's £10 million upgrade? I only saw the online version which doesn't show any pictures.

[starkwell]

oh, well this is unusually interesting...god forbid!


i'm guessing it's DMU, well they certain needed to address their design policy, having struck out on everything they've built in the last years...

and to be fair to the civic society bloke, he said 'could end up like the other crappy blocks DMU have built' - and lets face it does anyone really trust DMU to actually build something good, or what they propose...

[Captain Redeye]

Let's bloody well hope so this time. I'll be able to see this building from the corner of my street. It can't possibly be any worse than the half-demolished eyesore the "developers" of the Walnut St/Jarrom St corner have left.


BG

[Owlyross]

Originally Posted by starkwell

oh, well this is unusually interesting...god forbid!


i'm guessing it's DMU, well they certain needed to address their design policy, having struck out on everything they've built in the last years...

and to be fair to the civic society bloke, he said 'could end up like the other crappy blocks DMU have built' - and lets face it does anyone really trust DMU to actually build something good, or what they propose...

DMU didn't build any of them. They were built on DMU's land, but by private companies. It's a shock to most people that DMU only own five halls, the rest are leased.

[starkwell]

Originally Posted by Owlyross

DMU didn't build any of them. They were built on DMU's land, but by private companies. It's a shock to most people that DMU only own five halls, the rest are leased.

shocking, but i'm sure they were built to DMU requirements and budgets, it's not like anyone else needs student halls....

[duane]

Actually they are completely private companies. DMU may have gave estimations for the students that needed these facilities but not much else.

[Leicity82]

The architects website (Maber Associates) claims that this tower will

contend for the tallest building in Leicester

and says it will be 21 storeys high?

http://www.maber.co.uk/what-we-do/pr...tern-boulevard

The website also claims work will start on site in March 2010.

[duane]

That is great news. Finally. Something is moving

[Captain Redeye]

I saw scaffolding had been put up around the Brewin building when I went past yesterday. Signs of progress at last.

Now what is needed is for the knock-a-wall-down-and-run "developer" of the site on Walnut St opposite to finish what they started instead of leaving a half-demolished row of houses (that's how it looks to anyone passing anyway).


BG

[Mr Brightside]

I really do like the look of this tower, looks high quality.

[duane]

I went passed the Wolsey Building today and work is well under way.

[Mark76]

Originally Posted by Mr Brightside

I really do like the look of this tower, looks high quality.

Let's see if they stick to this

The external cladding materials include curved aluminum panels, coloured laminate cladding, resin based render and terracotta facing blocks. The building is highly insulated and will be heated by a pellet fed bio-fuel system.

[d4mo85]

I'm confident they will stick to it, the design (although changed to 21storeys - wahey!!) has not been altered much at all which might mean they're happy with everything including the cost.

We've not seen contrasting pre-build renders like we did for SGT and Thames Tower, so i'm confident.

That's another 200ft+ building in Leicester then should it come to fruition

[Lears City]

I still can't get used to discussion relating to a development in the city. How long has it been eh?

[Leicity82]

Yeah. lol

[moseeds]

Originally Posted by Lears City

I still can't get used to discussion relating to a development in the city. How long has it been eh?

haha i know that feeling! Be interesting to see how 2010 pans out.

[WOTZDA POINT]

Great news ! i think Leicester high-rise fans will have to make the most of this development, as i can't see any high-rise office or private appartments being built for at least 5 years or even longer.