Midas Construction has been selected to build a new £30 million student accommodation scheme in Southampton.

A total of 527 beds will be developed within a 12-storey building at Cumberland Place, close to Watts Park in the city centre, on behalf of client Victoria Hall Management.

Designed by ArchitecturePLB, features will include ground floor commercial space, a common room, management suite and ancillary buildings.

Midas is already on site carrying out ground preparation and excavations in readiness for the start of piling work for foundations. The project is scheduled for completion in August 2019.

As part of the development, Midas and its supply chain will provide a number of local employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, and sustain a large number of local jobs through the scheme's delivery. The company will also work with local supply chain partners to deliver specialist subcontract packages of work and will ensure that employees, both at Midas and within the supply chain, continue to receive vocational and non-vocational training.


In addition, Midas will facilitate site visits, take part in careers events at local schools, colleges and the universities, as well as creating work experience placements for local students.

Peter Whitmore, Divisional Director for the Southern region at Midas, said: "We are delighted to be getting under way on site on this high profile project for Victoria Hall. Not only does it represent a significant scheme in Southampton but it will enable us to showcase the exciting career opportunities available in the construction industry and to provide further employment opportunities."

John Nesbitt, Managing Director of Victoria Hall Management, said: "We are delighted to have secured funding for this project with a high quality institutional investor and to be starting the construction phase of the project together with Midas. Our expectation is that Cumberland Place will be the best student scheme in the city offering a variety of bedroom types, compelling amenity spaces for students and some of the best views over the city."

(LM)