A major student accommodation development in Coventry has reached a key construction milestone, with contractor Winvic Construction and client Gilltown marking the topping out of Progress House.

The ceremony brought together project partners including Westlakes Engineering and GDL to celebrate the structural completion of the six-storey scheme on Westwood Way, around a mile from the University of Warwick campus. Attendees gathered on site for speeches and a commemorative photo on the building's top floor.

Progress House is being delivered under a Design & Build 2016 contract and will provide 544 en-suite student bedrooms across a 185,736 sq ft development. The scheme features a reinforced concrete frame with SFS infill, a brick façade and a range of internal and external amenity spaces. It replaces a former office building and is expected to strengthen student housing provision in the area, complementing nearby accommodation at Westwood Business Park.

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The development will include a variety of facilities for residents, such as a gym and fitness studio, cinema room, study areas, communal lounges and games spaces. Outdoor amenities will feature landscaped areas, a sports space and a pétanque court, while a 4,000 sq ft ground floor commercial unit will serve both residents and the wider community.

Sustainability is a central focus of the project, which is targeting BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and WiredScore Platinum certifications. Planned features include a green roof and photovoltaic systems to reduce operational carbon, alongside the use of BIM processes aligned with the Information Management Initiative framework to support efficient design coordination and quality control.

Winvic is also working with local stakeholders to deliver a Social Value Plan aimed at creating jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities, while engaging with education providers such as WMG Engineering College and supporting local businesses and charities.

Progress House is scheduled for completion in Summer 2027, in time for the 2027/28 academic year.