Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, today welcomed the University of Edinburgh’s Chancellor, Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal, to the award winning site of the Holyrood postgraduate village within the world heritage site of Holyrood in the City of Edinburgh.
The Princess Royal visited the development to mark the completion of the final phase and official opening of the development which has seen 1,200 postgraduate students reside in the accommodation since September 2016.
In 2013, Balfour Beatty was charged with the design, build, funding and maintenance of the village, working in close partnership with the University of Edinburgh. Construction was led by its Scottish business, with mechanical and electrical works provided by Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick to deliver 1,200 student beds, a retail unit, café and outreach centre, which houses the Institute for Academic Development and the Edinburgh Centre for Professional Legal Studies.
Ian Woosey, Investment Director, Balfour Beatty Investments was introduced to The Princess Royal together with other members of the project team, he said: “It was an honour to meet with The Princess Royal as she officially opened the prestigious Student Accommodation facilities we have provided in Holyrood. We have worked across our expert teams and delivered a high quality development which has been recognised as exceptional across the property and Higher Education sectors.
“In the short time the residences have been operational they have been voted Best University Halls of Residence at the first Property Week Student Accommodation Awards and also the Student Development of the Year at the Annual Scottish Property Award. The design and layout of the facilities are such that the students develop a strong community spirit and have an excellent experience whilst staying in the accommodation. It is extremely popular with full occupancy.”
ENDS
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Notes to editors:
- Balfour Beatty Investments is a global infrastructure investor operating in the UK, US and Canada providing the investment capability required to deliver complex infrastructure projects. Over the past 22 years, Balfour Beatty Investments has established itself as one of the largest investors in the PPP industry, building a portfolio of more than 70 projects worldwide, predominantly in the UK and North America.
- Balfour Beatty has a strong and well-established record of successful delivery in Scotland with over 115 years of service and an informed view of Scottish Infrastructure. With the largest in-house temporary works department in Scotland, the company provides its clients with value for money solutions and risk reduction through its proven technical expertise and highly skilled and experienced engineering talent pool.
- Significant projects in the Company’s current portfolio include the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route which will improve the transport network in Aberdeen and across the north east of Scotland, the £20m Radisson Red Hotel in Glasgow which will provide a 176-bed 4 star hotel, with restaurant, gallery, gym and event space and the £30m Kennedy Street Student Accommodation project in Glasgow which will feature 536 bedrooms, split over two blocks around a stunning central courtyard.
