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We are delighted to announce that Albert Residences has received a commendation in the category of Built Project in Worcestershire at the Worcestershire Architecture Awards 2024. These awards recognise inspiring new architecture across the county and celebrate the work of Worcestershire architects.

In addition to this commendation, Albert Residences is in the running for this year’s The People's Choice Award 2024, which will be chosen by the readers of the Worcester News. There are five public buildings in Worcester shortlisted for the award.

To vote for Albert Residences, please use the link below. The deadline for voting is midnight on Friday, July 26.

Worcestershire Architecture Awards 2024 - readers to choose | Worcester News

Please show your support Albert Residences!

We are delighted to announce that Albert Residences has been shortlisted for the Residential Regeneration Project of the Year award at the Insider's Midlands Residential Property Awards 2024!

Albert Residences is a 163-bed student accommodation development which opened in September 2023. This recognition is testament to Space Developments commitment to regeneration, bringing a new purpose to this local historic Grade II listed building which had fallen into disrepair.  The redevelopment of the main building has retained and refurbished all the unique gothic architectural features which make this project so impactful.

Tim Edghill, Principal at Space Developments, said "We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the award and to be recognised for successfully regenerating a local historic building.  The redevelopment of this old orphanage site as student accommodation, given its important local history, is the perfect new chapter. We wanted to create an inclusive development where the residents feel part of a welcoming community and can enjoy the impressive living and communal spaces."

The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on June 6th  in Birmingham.

The Albert Residences is a new 163 bed student accommodation building currently under construction on Henwick Road, just a few hundred yards from Worcester University’s main St John Campus.

The development, which comprises the full redevelopment and reinvention of the original Victorian listed buildings and a new adjacent accommodation block, is being delivered by Space Developments with appointed local contractor J Tomlinson Ltd undertaking the main construction works.

Work on the site started in July, with the building due to be completed by September 2022 ahead of the new academic year.

As construction work progresses, a took place on the 16th December to mark a key milestone for this local historical site.

Ken Jones, Construction Director at Space Developments, said “The vision for this high-quality student accommodation is starting to take physical shape. The steel signing marks an exciting point in the project. This new build addition to the site will complement the existing Wheeler building and create additional shared social and external spaces, offering a strong community feel for our residents.’

Tony Shenton, managing director (new build projects) at J Tomlinson, added: “It is extremely rewarding to oversee the continued progress on site in Worcester. The project has come a long way since works commenced during the summer, and we are so pleased to be able to come together to recognise this key milestone as our new build and refurbishment teams work in partnership with Space Developments to deliver first-rate living and social spaces for Worcester University students in time for the 2022/2023 academic year.”

Construction work commenced at the end of June on the redevelopment of the former YMCA building and surrounding land located on Henwick Road to create a new student community, that will be known as Albert Residences.

This £16m redevelopment is being delivered by Space Developments, with local contractor J Tomlinson Ltd, who are experienced in delivering student accommodation projects, appointed to undertake the construction work.

The development brings new modern and high-quality student accommodation to the city, through the regeneration of this local, historically significant, site.

The original building was completed in 1869, its development made possible by the patronage of local MP & Alderman Richard Padmore and local businessman Edward Wheeler, along with other eminent members of the local business community. Originally an orphanage, the building was later occupied by the YMCA until its current redevelopment.

As part of the redevelopment, the original buildings which are Grade II Listed, with impressive gothic architectural features will be retained and refurbished to provide a spacious and unique 91 room student space, with large communal lounges and meeting rooms. A new building will also be sympathetically completed adjacent to the original structure to provide 72 additional student rooms. The buildings surround a large communal landscaped courtyard, creating a vibrant community feel for the 163 students in total.

Space Developments have worked closely with the Worcester Conservation and Planning team to sensitively convert the existing buildings and breathe new life into this neglected site to create a revitalised and lasting legacy for the local area.

Tim Edghill, Principal at Space Developments said: "We are very excited to be delivering this scheme and regenerating this historic building. The development will provide a unique and attractive range of rooms and flats for Students and a close and social community in which the students can live, work, and enjoy their time in Worcester.

"The redevelopment of this site as student accommodation, after its prior history as an orphanage and latterly YMCA accommodation, seems like the perfect new chapter for this development. We want to create an inclusive place where the residents feel part of a community where they belong and can grow and thrive, making lifelong friends.”

The Albert Residences will be open for Academic year September 2022.

163-bed student accommodation development opening in Autumn 2022 to be completed in Worcester.

The project is owned and is being developed by Space Developments, a social infrastructure investor / developer. Following the successful completion of strip out and enabling works, J Tomlinson, has now been appointed by Space Developments as main contractor to deliver this highly-anticipated scheme, which involves the regeneration of one of Worcester City’s largest and most historic listed buildings (formerly a YMCA-managed hostel), as well as completion of a new accommodation block that will sit adjacent to the existing structures.

Upon completion in 2022, the development will comprise of three buildings, providing a mixture of cluster flats and self-contained studios, with the main building also housing student communal areas and services.

Space Developments has worked closely with Worcester City Council’s Conservation and Planning team to ensure sympathetic conversion of the existing (“main”) building as well as completion of the design and build of the new build block adjacent to it.

J Tomlinson’s Construction/Care, Refurbishment and Engineering divisions, will be working side-by-side in a multi-team format to manage the different elements of the build and provide all associated mechanical and electrical services and installations, with the client benefitting from a unified service.

All living spaces will contain spacious bedroom areas, mostly en-suite bathrooms, kitchen and lounge areas, and large communal lounge areas. All three buildings benefit from from the gardens and a large communal courtyard that connect the buildings and provides further community environment.

Tony Shenton, director of J Tomlinson’s Construction division, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with Space Developments on this sustainable student residence scheme that will provide high-quality, spacious accommodation to students from the start of the 2022/2023 academic year.

Working closely with our in-house refurbishment and engineering teams, whom are specialists in delivering sympathetic heritage refurbishment projects, we look forward to delivering a high-quality project via a fully collaborative/joined-up approach.”

The development will create an inclusive space in which students feel part of a community, create lasting friendships and can thrive.

Previous student accommodation schemes delivered by J Tomlinson include the refurbishment of four three-storey blocks (including student dormitories and communal areas) at the University of Warwick, and the design and build of three blocks and refurbishment of the Grade II* listed Dagfa House building (Beeston) to create 217 new living spaces for University of Nottingham students.

In 2019 the company’s refurbishment and engineering division provided the mechanical and engineering (M&E) infrastructure for a 922-bed student residential scheme for Coventry University students.