Watkin Jones, the UK’s leading developer and manager of residential for rent, is pleased to announce the topping out of Skywalks at Freestone Road, a 204-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Bristol, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of the scheme.
The development is being delivered for a joint venture between Moorfield Group and Tiger Developments, with Watkin Jones appointed as delivery partner. Skywalks will provide high-quality student accommodation directly opposite the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.
Once complete, the development will offer a mix of ensuite cluster apartments and self-contained studios across four interconnected buildings, helping to meet growing demand for high-quality student accommodation in one of the UK’s most undersupplied university cities. It will be managed by Host Students, Tiger Developments’ operational business.
Located within Bristol’s Temple Quarter regeneration area, the development will contribute to the wider transformation of the city, creating new student homes and supporting one of the UK’s urban regeneration programmes.
Designed with sustainability in mind, EPC A and BREEAM Excellent ratings are being targeted. The development will also incorporate a range of low-carbon features, including rooftop photovoltaic panels and a connection to Bristol’s district heating network.
The topping out milestone was marked by representatives from Watkin Jones, Moorfield Group, Tiger Developments and key project partners coming together on site to celebrate progress and recognise the contribution of everyone involved in bringing the development forward.
Gwyn Pritchard, Managing Director, Watkin Jones, said:
“Topping out at Freestone Road is an important milestone for the project and a testament to the collaborative effort of the wider team. We’re proud of the progress made to date and look forward to bringing this high-quality and much needed PBSA development in Bristol to completion.”
Hugh Canham, Head of Asset Management, Moorfield Group, said:
“Bristol already faces a shortage of student accommodation and the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter campus makes this an especially important location for new student homes. Skywalks at Freestone Road reflects our strategy of investing in high-quality accommodation in cities where demand significantly exceeds supply, working in partnership with experienced development and operating partners.
“Topping out brings us a step closer to delivering 204 student beds directly opposite the new campus, supporting both the University’s growth and the wider regeneration of Temple Quarter. We thank the Watkin Jones team and our partners at Tiger Developments for their work in reaching this milestone.”
John Nesbitt, Managing Director of Tiger Developments commented:
“Reaching topping out is an important milestone for Freestone Road and reflects the strong progress being made across the scheme. This is a development we have been closely involved with from an early stage, and it is particularly pleasing to see the original vision now taking shape on site.
“With its location directly opposite the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter campus, we believe the scheme is extremely well placed to provide high-quality, sustainable student accommodation in an area undergoing significant regeneration. We look forward to continuing to work with our JV partners Moorfield, contractor Watkin Jones and the wider project team as we move towards completion.”
