The Bristol office of leading UK construction, infrastructure and design company Morgan Sindall has won a £16 million contract to build student accommodation for the University of Exeter.

The project will see the construction of three, four and five storey buildings, designed by Bristol-based architects Stride Treglown, to accommodate 492 students on Western Way in the city centre. The project is funded by the Exeter Property Company Ltd – part of real estate investment firm Moorfield Group, to support the growing numbers of students attending the university.


The work involves the demolition of a printworks factory and offices on the site and construction of a Metsec structural framed building on the split-level ground. Due to the confined space of the city centre site, the majority of the construction will be undertaken off-site, including the assembly of bathroom pods and fitted into the frame.

Aston Mills, Project Director at Morgan Sindall, said: "The continued investment and expansion of the University of Exeter means there is a need to house the growing student population in the city. The new scheme will enhance and support the housing on offer by providing high quality accommodation to students studying in the city.

"Not only do we build some of the best education facilities in the country but we also understand the complexities of building in confined city centre spaces. In addition, we are proven at delivering projects on time and to budget."

The student accommodation building is due for completion in May 2013. Morgan Sindall has also handed over the award winning £45 million Bideford College Campus and £4 million redevelopment of City College Plymouth in 2011.

(CD/GK)