Create Construction and Crosslane celebrate topping out at Coppergate, Swansea

Create Construction and Crosslane Student Developments hosted a topping out ceremony for the purpose-built student accommodation development called Coppergate on the Kingsway, in Swansea on April 10, to celebrate the achievement of the building reaching its maximum height, with the installation of the top level. The event followed a tight construction timetable that began in March 2018.

The topping out event celebrated a milestone in the build of a new 310-bed, purpose-built student accommodation development, Coppergate in Swansea, which is on track and on budget for opening in September 2019.

Crosslane and Create are proud to be delivering this new prestigious student accommodation project, situated in the city centre of Swansea, close the University of Swansea and University of Wales Trinity Saint David campuses. The Coppergate development, which will open on time and on budget for the start of the 2019/20 academic year, is one of five new PBSA schemes by Crosslane within the recently announced Joint Venture with Harrison Street Real Estate Capital LLC. In addition to Swansea, the JV also includes new PBSA developments in Leeds, Coventry, Portsmouth and Cardiff, delivering a combined total of 1,685 beds and gross development value of approximately £180 million. 

Hosted by key members of the management teams from Crosslane and Create, the topping out guests included representatives of the JV, funding, design, construction, project delivery and subcontractor teams, as well as the Prime Student Living team - the student accommodation lettings and operational management arm of the Crosslane Property Group, who are responsible for achieving full occupancy prior to practical completion and will continue to manage the building thereafter.

During the event, guests were taken up to the top floor of the building to view a breath-taking panorama of Swansea and the Mumbles just across the bay, which the students will be able to enjoy. Everyone then listened to inspiring speeches from managing director of Create Construction, Adrian Tottey and Lisa Timberlake, senior development manager at Crosslane, before visiting Prime Student Living’s marketing suite on The Kingsway to view the student accommodation showrooms. 

Lisa Timberlake commented: “Crosslane are delighted with the full support from all our contractors, supply chain and service providers to reach this key milestone in the construction schedule and we look forward to completion in September ahead of the start of the 2019/20 academic year. Whilst Coppergate is our first development in Swansea, it represents one of three purpose-built student accommodation developments for Crosslane in Wales, with another new scheme underway in Cardiff, due to open for the 2020/21 academic year. We are keen to explore other sites in the region to develop more high quality student accommodation to help meet the growing demand for this type of student housing as the number of students in higher education in Wales continues to increase.”

Adrian Tottey, managing director of Create Construction commented: “It is fantastic that we have reached the topping out stage on this project for Crosslane and Prime. The project has not been without its constraints due to the tight footprint and the building’s size within its city centre location. With space being at a premium, we have worked hard with the Highways Agency to enable us to make progress - with regular dialogue with our local stakeholders and neighbours being the key. We have gained the support of all of our principal sub-contractors and are extremely confident that we will deliver this prestigious project for Crosslane in time for September’s student intake.”

Create Construction has brought to the table its considerable experience in the delivery of high-volume accommodation, having previously worked with Crosslane on Brass Founders – Sheffield, another prestigious student project. It continues to extend its pipeline of work as the company continues its impressive growth in this exciting area.

Adrian continued: “Our company values of ‘Integrity’, ‘creativity’ and ‘easy to do business with’ has allowed us to build a significant relationship with Crosslane, which I hope will continue for many years to come.”