CityBlock starts work in Leicester
Work has started on a multimillion pound block of student accommodation in Leicester. CityBlock, the Lancaster-based provider of purpose-built, city centre student accommodation, received planning permission for the development of 76 rooms with a ground floor retail unit earlier this year.
The developments in Leicester follow other successful schemes in the North West. Finance for the scheme is being provided by Barclays Corporate.
CityBlock has partnered with Lancaster-based Askam Construction in the venture.
An existing building in the city’s conservation area will be demolished and replaced by a new build next to CityBlock’s first development in Leicester, which opened last September.
Trevor Bargh, CityBlock’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted that we are underway on this next exciting CityBlock development and we intend to roll out CityBlock to other similar locations in the very near future.”
Paul Devenport, of Barclays Corporate, said: "The student market is rather buoyant at the moment as student numbers continue to soar and the demand for quality new accommodation is also very high.”
The new building will be open to students in September 2011.
