A topping out ceremony was held at Beckley Point yesterday (Wednesday 8 February), marking the completion of Plymouth’s tallest building’s superstructure. The event was attended by Councillor Ian Bowyer, representatives from multi award-winning student accommodation provider, The Student Housing Company, its parent company, GSA, and the building’s contractors, Kier.
The £29.5m scheme, which will be operated by The Student Housing Company, will house 508 students in a combination of high quality studio apartments and ensuite flats over 20 floors. The 78m skyscraper will provide residents with access to shared communal spaces including a common room, cinema room, games room, and a unique sky lounge, offering views that stretch over Dartmoor, out into the Sound and as far as Cornwall. The ground and lower-ground floors will be reserved for office and commercial space, a management suite and ancillary areas.
Brian Trethewey, senior project manager, Kier, said: “We’re extremely proud to be delivering Plymouth’s tallest building with Beckley Point, which adds to Kier’s portfolio of high-profile projects in the area, including a research facility at Derriford Hospital and Finlake Holiday Park.
“The topping out milestone is a great moment to reflect on the work so far. Beckley Point is an important scheme for Plymouth and the local economy, and we’ve been able to create valuable employment, apprenticeship and training opportunities across our local supply chain. Our team’s expertise and experience in projects like this has ensured that work is firmly on track to complete in time for the new academic year in September, when we’re looking forward to welcoming a new generation of students to Plymouth.”
Tim Mitchell, GSA’s CEO for EMEA, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be part of such an ambitious project. Located in the heart of the city, Beckley Point is a landmark building ideally positioned to provide students from Plymouth University, The University of St Mark and St John and Plymouth College of Art with convenient, high quality accommodation that’s just a stone’s throw away from this great city’s many pubs, bars and shops. Its proximity to Plymouth train station also makes it easily accessible for those students coming from further afield for the 2017/18 academic year.”
Plymouth City Council Leader, Ian Bowyer said: “This is a really exciting moment for Plymouth as this landmark building will change Plymouth’s skyline and boast 360 panoramic views around the city. The building was created with the people of Plymouth in mind as well, and when finished it will give public access to a viewing gallery so everyone can enjoy Beckley Point. I’d like to thank Kier and their subcontractors for their hard work in making this development happen, and look forward to continuing to work together through Building Plymouth as well as other exciting site developments across the city.”