In a significant milestone for the UK PBSA market, McAleer & Rushe, alongside partners Greystar and Student Roost, has celebrated the topping out of The Triangle, an ambitious 836-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project located in Selly Oak, Birmingham. This event marks the structural completion of what is poised to be one of the largest student housing schemes in Birmingham. The ceremony was attended by key members of the project team, consultants, and supply chain partners, highlighting the collaborative effort that has driven this development forward. The site, previously home to a Sainsbury’s supermarket at 1 Chapel Lane, is being transformed into a vibrant living space for students.
The Project Overview
Upon its completion, The Triangle will feature an impressive mix of accommodation types, comprising 472 studio apartments and 364 cluster bedrooms distributed across two distinct buildings. Additionally, the development will house around 26,000 square feet of commercial space, enhancing the local economy and providing essential services for residents. The topping out ceremony is a critical point in the regeneration of this area, which is set to deliver high-quality student accommodation, improved public spaces, and community healthcare facilities.
Partnerships and Project Vision
Darragh Greenan, Director at McAleer & Rushe, emphasised the importance of collaboration in reaching this milestone, stating, “Reaching this stage is the result of close collaboration across the project team, from early design coordination through to safe and efficient delivery on-site.” This partnership with Greystar is particularly notable as it continues from previous successful projects like Canvas Wembley and ongoing works at Pearl Yard in Bermondsey. Greenan reiterated the commitment to providing sustainable, well-connected living environments that add long-term value to key urban locations.
Community Impact and Sustainable Design
The Triangle development is more than just a student accommodation project; it is a catalyst for community enhancement. The wider mixed-use development will introduce a new community medical centre, landscaped public spaces, and essential improvements to the surrounding public realm, effectively reopening the former island site while reinstating the Bristol Road frontage to boost connectivity in Selly Oak. Thomasin Renshaw, Managing Director of UK Development at Greystar, remarked, “Working alongside McAleer & Rushe once again, we are delivering a high-quality student accommodation scheme that will transform a prominent brownfield site into a vibrant new destination for students and the wider Selly Oak community.”
The Role of Student Roost
The Triangle project signifies Student Roost’s re-entry into the Birmingham market, marking its first development in collaboration with Greystar following the acquisition of the business. Ashling Fox, Managing Director of Student Roost, expressed excitement about this partnership, stating, “This property represents significant investment in the student housing provision in Selly Oak and highlights our commitment to creating welcoming, community-focused student homes.” The development is designed to foster a sense of community, featuring over 13,000 square feet of resident amenity space, including study areas, social lounges, a gym, and an on-site cinema.
Sustainability Initiatives
With a strong emphasis on sustainability, The Triangle incorporates features such as a green roof, solar panels, and the use of sustainable construction materials, aiming for BREEAM Very Good and Energy Performance Certificate A ratings. This commitment to sustainability not only enhances the living experience for students but also aligns with broader environmental goals, making it an exemplary model within the PBSA sector.