Create Construction and Crosslane to host topping out ceremony at student development in Swansea

Create Construction and Crosslane Student Developments will be hosting a Topping Out ceremony for the purpose-built student accommodation development (PBSA) called Coppergate on The Kingsway, in Swansea on the 10 April 2019. The event is set to celebrate the achievement of the building reaching its maximum height, with the installation of the top level. 

After following a tight construction timetable that began in March 2018, the building is due to open on time and on budget for the start of the 2019/20 academic year. 

Hosted by key members of the management teams from Create and Crosslane, guests will include representatives of the JV, Funding, Design, Construction, Project Delivery and Subcontractor teams, as well as members of the Industry Press and 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. 

Create and Crosslane 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 310 bed development comprises of 24 self-contained studio apartments and 286 en-suite cluster flats of between 5 and 10 bedrooms spread across a 14 storey tower block and two six-storey wings. With a private landscaped central courtyard set inside the horseshoe formation, the building will also feature significant communal areas to encourage collaborative working and socialising,a reception area and a ground floor retail unit fronting onto The Kingsway, as part of the council’s re-development plans taking place on this main thoroughfare in Swansea.

The building is scheduled to be complete in time for the start of the 2019/2020 academic year and will be one of the tallest in Swansea, providing residents with amazing views across the city and out to the coast and is expected to be particularly prominent because of its colour-changing ‘chameleon’ panelling.

The site is located close to Swansea’s main shopping area and many amenities, with the main bus station only a short walk away and public transport connections to both the University of Swansea and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. In addition, the building will have a substantial indoor bicycle storage facility to encourage students to use bikes to travel to university.

Applications to Swansea University have grown by 60% over the past three years and the Coppergate development will go some way towards satisfying student demand for purpose-built accommodation, as well as supporting the university in its growth ambitions.

David Smith, managing director at Crosslane Student Developments commented: “We are pleased Coppergate is on track and on budget for the start of the 2019/20 academic year. This is our first development in Swansea, which will go some way toward easing the current supply demand imbalance in the city and Crosslane continues to explore other sites in Swansea to develop purpose-built student accommodation, helping to meet the growing demand for this type of student housing. This is one of two schemes Crosslane is developing in Wales, as we seek to expand investment to support Higher Education in the region.”

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 in time for September’s student intake.”

Create Construction have brought to the table their considerable experience in the delivery of high-volume accommodation, having previously worked with Crosslane on Brass Founders – Sheffield, another prestigious student project. They continue to extend their 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’ have allowed us to build a significant relationship with Crosslane, which I hope will continue for many years to come.”