GMI hands over at Foss Islands Road
The contractor has completed its third recent student accommodation scheme in York, delivering a £17m, 133-bedspace project for Urbium Capital and Gregory Property Group.
Delivered in good time for the academic year starting in September, the development provides 133 student beds across a mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments, supported by amenities including study areas, gym facilities, social spaces and landscaped courtyards.
The scheme has regenerated a prominent brownfield site, formerly occupied by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Just Tyres. Close to York city centre, it is positioned between the University of York and York St John University.
Foss Islands Road has achieved BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and WiredScore Platinum standards. Sustainability features include air-source heat pumps, EV charging infrastructure, secure cycle storage and measures that support low-carbon, car-free living.
Foss Islands Road also continues GMI Construction’s long-standing relationship with Gregory Property Group, building on a track record that includes The Refinery, a 407-bed PBSA development at Bingley Street in Leeds, Premier Inn Bradford, and a wider portfolio of commercial, retail, office, industrial and refurbishment projects delivered in partnership over more than 25 years.
Locally, GMI has delivered Rialto House for Olympian Homes, the £50m, 275-bed scheme on the site of the former Rialto Cinema and Mecca bingo hall, and the £22m, 303-bed James Street development for S Harrison Developments.
Ed Weston, regional director, Yorkshire at GMI Construction, said: “The completion of Foss Islands Road is another significant achievement for our team and further demonstrates GMI’s expertise in delivering high-quality PBSA developments in key university cities.
“This is exactly the type of project we mean when we talk about exceptional delivery. The scheme was delivered ahead of programme, to a high standard and through a genuinely collaborative approach with Gregory Property Group, Urbium Capital and the wider project team.
“Across Foss Islands Road, Rialto House and James Street, we have successfully delivered more than 700 much-needed student beds over a relatively short period of time. Each presented its own unique challenges and requirements, but our experience in the sector, collaborative approach and focus on quality have enabled us to consistently deliver schemes that meet the evolving expectations of both developers and students alike.
“We’re proud to have played such an important role in supporting York’s growing student population while also regenerating prominent brownfield sites that bring long-term value to the city.”
Suliman Aujan, founder and chief executive of Urbium Capital, added: “Foss Islands Road has been a transformational development for this part of the city, and we are delighted to see it completed to such a high standard.
“GMI Construction has been an excellent delivery partner throughout the project and their experience within the PBSA sector has been evident at every stage. The finished development provides exactly the type of high-quality, sustainable accommodation York needs to support its thriving student population.”
