Student room with a view
The construction of the Stephen Hodder-designed skyscraper for Student Castle in central Manchester reached a milestone on Wednesday with a 'topping out' ceremony held by contractor Shepherd Construction.
The midday ceremony was due to be attended by Charles Dunstone, founder of Carphone Warehouse and backer of Student Castle, along with Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council.
The ceremony marks completion of the concrete frame on the 106-metre high building that will become the fourth tallest in the city when it completes in August. The others are the Beetham Tower at 157 metres, CIS Tower 118 metres, Bruntwood's City Tower at 107 metres.
Shepherd Construction began work on the £28.5m project on Great Marlborough Street next to Oxford Road station in 2010. When the 37-storey skyscraper opens in September, it will provide self-contained studios, apartments and cluster flats of up to six bedrooms for 520 students, with views across the city.
Clive Williamson, construction director of Shepherd Construction, said: "We're delighted to join with Student Castle in celebrating this important milestone as the building will meet the aspirations for 21st century student living and will also provide a new landmark for Manchester's city centre."
Student Castle will manage the accommodation itself. The specification tenants can look forward to – the tower is aimed at mature and overseas residents – includes:
- Free ultra fast new generation wifi broadband 30mbps
- Personal Contents insurance included in the rent
- All inclusive rents (electricity, water, broadband)
- On-site laundry
- 24-hour security and on-site management
- On-site gym
- Air conditioning
- Large common room complete with flat screen TV and free wireless connectivity
