GMI tops out at £17m Foss Islands PBSA
The 133-bed development remains on track to add much-needed student accommodation to the city in time for the 2026/27 academic year.
Developed alongside Urbium Capital and Otley-based Gregory Properties, the site was acquired early last year with GMI Construction breaking ground in April.
Located between the University of York and York St Johns, the brownfield site was previously occupied by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Just Tyres.
The scheme ranges from three- to five-storeys and will deliver studio apartments and two one-bedroom flats, alongside a range of amenities including study spaces, a gym, multi-functional social areas, and landscaped courtyards.
The development is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’, EPC A, and WiredScore Platinum, and other sustainability features include air-source heat pumps and EV charging points.
The brownfield site on Foss Islands Road is GMI’s third student accommodation scheme in the city, having completed the £50m, 275-bed PBSA on Fishergate for Olympian Homes, and the £22m Raffles Hall on James Street for S Harrison Developments, which will accommodate 303 students.
Ed Weston, GMI’s regional director, Yorkshire, said: “Reaching the topping-out stage is a significant moment for everyone involved in this development. The team has worked incredibly hard to bring the project to this point, and it’s great to see the building taking shape.”
Suliman Aujan, founder and chief executive of Urbium Capital, added: “This milestone reflects strong progress on what is a transformational scheme for this site.
“Foss Islands Road is ideally located for students and will help address the city’s significant shortage of dedicated accommodation.
“Our partnership with GMI has been excellent, and we look forward to seeing the development completed and in use as an asset that supports York’s thriving student economy.”
John McGhee, managing director of Gregory Property Group, added: “To see the development reach the topping out stage is extremely exciting. It’s a testament to the hard work, expertise and determination that has gone into bringing it out of the ground, and the results speak for themselves.”
