A new landmark housing scheme has been completed in Leicester city centre, bringing 297 apartments to the area.

Contracor Winvic completed the project, which serves as the company's first privately-rented-sector scheme, and also the first purpose-built accommodation of this type in Leicester city centre.

The firm worked closely with lead architect Franklin Ellis to deliver the Wullcomb on Vaughan Way, which serves as a link to future development sites at the waterside.

Vaughan Way residents will enjoy a number of communal areas including a games and TV-room called The Bower, modern lounges with fireplaces, a kitchen/dining area known as The Perch and a fifth-floor rooftop terrace with panoramic views over Leicester, providing comfortable seating, a firepit, a BBQ and wood-fired pizza oven.

Due to the site's complexity on the A50 arterial route, an unusual donut shaped building was built using a precise programme around accessibility and a design where cascading heights and local materials harmonise with the urban surroundings.

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The development stage of the scheme also saw the team pay close attention to sustainability while also creating a building which reflected Leicester's hosiery and clothing manufacturing history through a stylised knitted pattern.

Winvic's Director of Multi-room, Mark Jones, commented: "The handing over of Vaughan Way marks a significant stage in Winvic's history of delivering high quality projects, because it is our first in the privately rented sector. Our company values, turnkey contract experience and project management expertise allowed us to transfer skills to this sector without difficulty; working as one team with Franklin Ellis architects to find design solutions to complex challenges and creating robust relationships with Long Harbour, Sowden Group and Way of Life has made this scheme a delight to deliver. This is the first in a flurry of upcoming completions and Winvic's controlled strategic move into this growth market, along with student accommodation, will see us reach completion of almost 5,500 bedrooms by the end of the year."

Vaughn Way is owned by Long Harbour and managed by Way of Life.

Long Harbour's Managing Director of BtR, Rebecca Taylor, added: "It is fantastic to see The Wullcomb as Leicester's first Build to Rent scheme being handed over. This was a true partnership from the outset with Sowden, Winvic, Franklin Ellis and our team all driven to set a new benchmark of quality in the city. The team at Winvic adopted a can-do attitude from the outset and it's exciting to see The Wullcomb enter its next phase as it opens its doors to the city and our bespoke in house management team, Way of Life take over the management, looking to set yet another new benchmark in customer service."

(CM/MH)