For press & media queries
on this project please contact:
Avril Baker or Carolyn Jones
at ABC
tel: 0117 977 2002
or Avril (m) 0780 395 4120
For further information about
Urban Creation, the company’s portfolio of projects or new investment and development opportunities please contact:
Jonathan Brecknell
tel: 0117 934 9508
or email jbrecknell@urban-creation.com
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Urban Creation’s successful transformation of a semi-derelict Victorian school building, in the heart of Clifton, into one of the most popular student lets in Bristol is testament to the company’s professional expertise and clever use of space.
Despite the complexities of reworking an old building, within just four months of purchasing the site Urban Creation gained planning consent for a change of use from office to student accommodation. The full conversion and fitting out was completed on time and the 34 bed residence has been fully occupied ever since.
The creative reuse of this building demonstrates the company’s real understanding of the needs of students and how adding that little bit extra can ensure that living in an Urban Creation property is comfortable and convenient.
The Upper School dates from the 1870s when it was built as part of the Convent of St Catherine of Sienna. More recently it was used as a school until it was vacated in 1997.The main fabric and character of the building remained largely intact with its wonderful, lofty spaces and distinctive windows.
The semi derelict building had been empty for over a decade when Urban Creation acquired the site in 2009 with a planning consent for office use. The company could immediately see an opportunity for a more efficient and revenue rich use of the site. Having taken soundings within the Bristol property market, and in order to maximise its exceptional location - close to the University teaching campus, shops and amenities - Urban Creation identified the potential for student accommodation.
Urban Creation quickly set about redesigning the internal layouts and introducing quality touches, such as clever storage solutions and contemporary bed decks to maximise the generous floor to ceiling heights. This clever use of the interiors and ability to really understand students’ needs makes the space work harder, look better and feel bigger.
As well as delivering a successful development, as part of Urban Creation’s commitment to the local community, the company also devised a property management regime to both look after the safety and well being of the students and ensure that they act as good neighbours within the local area. This includes monthly management visits and a 24-hour monitoring service with a personal contact via mobile or email.
The complete refurbishment and fitting out of the building was completed in July 2010 on time to receive the first intake of new students in September. Marketed and let through Digs accommodation agency the property has been fully occupied ever since.
In May 2011 Urban Creation successfully completed the final piece of the property jigsaw with the sale of both the Upper School and the adjacent Pro-Cathedral building to UK student accommodation operator - Student Castle.
Jonathan Brecknell added: “The Upper School was our first outing into the student accommodation market and has proved to be a remarkable success. It is a great example of how the team at Urban Creation was able to take a semi derelict building and through creative thinking transform it into a cool and stylish place for students to live. We were able to capitalise on the quirky interiors and features of the old school to create something that little bit different and our students just love living there.”
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