University completes £4m Houldsworth Hall refurb

Manchester & Cheshire Construction has handed over a £4m refurbishment of the University of Manchester’s Houldsworth Hall.

The contractor, which worked with project manager Recom Solutions on the scheme, has completed the project in time for the new academic year.

Recom led the project from feasibility stage and also coordinated its phasing.

Manchester & Cheshire Construction’s work on site included structural repairs to the building alongside renovations to bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, communal areas, and its music room.

Built in 1907, the 58-bedroom Houldsworth Hall is the oldest of seven buildings at the university’s Hulme Hall campus in Victoria Park.

Works on the project to refurbish the grade two listed building started in summer 2016. Wilson Mason & Partners acted as architect, WYG as structural consultant, and SDA Consulting was the quantity surveyor.

Eugene O’Callaghan, commercial director at Manchester & Cheshire Construction, said: “Our team and all those involved in the supply chain worked extremely hard, including at weekends, to get this project over the line.

“The collaborative approach taken by all parties has led to a fantastic outcome. For us, this project strengthens our experience of successfully completing student accommodation contracts.”

Recom director Jason McKnight added: “The heritage surrounding this project was a key focus for the design team and contractor, so the materials used matched the original features and blended with the existing fabric of the building.

“The result of the refurbishment is something of which everyone involved can be justly proud.”