Northgate Studios, Chester

Value - £1.1m | Main contractor - Cruden Construction

Set back from Trafford Street in Chester city centre, Northgate Studios is a hotel-themed, six-storey student accommodation development. Developed for Main Contractor Cruden Construction and client Primus Property, it provides 150 high specification apartments including en-suite bathrooms and kitchens over six floors. Facilities including a reception lobby with manned reception, a cinema and games room, a launderette and cycle storage.

The challenge:

• Following a competitive tender we secured the £1.1 million contract with Cruden Construction to supply and install an SFS pre-panelised system plus associated on-site works.

• Works commenced in September 2017 and with a 34-week build period, the building shell needed to be handed over to Cruden Construction on time and to budget by July 2018.

• With specialist design input required, including recommending a mixture of Metsec Metframe and hot rolled super structure for the large span building, Mansell Building Solutions worked closely with Cruden Construction, Metsec and architects Cartwright Goss.

• Due to the specification being defined, achieving high quality internal finishes was essential thus requiring significant attention to detail.

The solution:

• We took a key role in the design phase of the project and worked closely with the design team, including architects DLA Design and Metsec, to produce the relevant drawings and 3D models.

• The SFS sections were delivered by Metsec to our 42,000ft2 production facility in Middleton, Manchester where the structure was pre-panelised.

• The panels were delivered to site using just in time delivery methods and craned into position.

• Metal decking was then installed with additional rebar plus anti-crack mesh and concrete poured to form a floor.

• Mansell Building Solutions also completed partisions, ceilings and significant drylining works.

• Overall, a gross floor area of 3,500m2 of pre-panelised Metsec steel frame was installed plus 34,000m2 of drylining, almost 4,000m2 of ceilings and over 21,000m2 of plastering.

The benefits:

• As a Metsec Approved Installer, Mansell Building Solutions was able to add considerable value to the design phase and the close working relationship was crucial to the success of this installation due to the design features and timescales demanded.

• As fabrication was completed to strict factory tolerances at Mansell Building Solutions’ production facility, accuracy and quality could be guaranteed thus saving time installing on-site.

• As a highly experienced specialist construction company, and with its recognised Quality Management System, Mansell Building Solutions was able to deliver the top level finishes across the development.

• Due to the tight city centre location, the use of just-in-time delivery methods was vital in order to reduce the amount of deliveries to site.

• Mansell Building Solutions completed works on time ensuring a timely handover to Cruden Construction.

• The development was completed and open for accommodation on time and is now 100% let and achieves five star tenant reviews.