Contracts signed for £20m Cardiff student accommodation project

Work on one of Cardiff’s largest ever student accommodation developments will begin shortly after contracts were agreed with leading regional construction firm, Midas Construction, to create 355 new student beds in the city.

The Wales division of Midas Construction is part of The Midas Group, one of the largest independent construction firms in the region, and has been awarded the contract to convert four buildings at Fitzalan Court on Newport Road into student halls of residence.

The accommodation will open in Summer 2017, and will include an innovatively designed two-storey roof extension as well as a new courtyard area and the re-modelling of an existing basement car park to provide additional space for facilities and parking.

Derek Quinn, executive director at Midas Construction’s Wales division, said: “I am delighted that Midas Construction has been awarded the contract to develop the Fitzalan Court site in Cardiff. This is another significant project for the Group in the city, following on from the £12 million student accommodation project we are currently delivering in Cardiff’s Oxford Street.

“This is another development that Midas will deliver for the McLaren Group, having already completed the award-winning Twerton Mill student living site in Bath. It is a great example of our industry-leading performance and customer service resulting in repeat work. We look forward to working with them and PMG on this exciting project.”

The Fitzalan scheme is a joint venture between McLaren Group and Cardiff-based developers PMG. Midas Construction is also working with other local companies during this project, as part of the company’s commitment to employing local sub-contractors whenever possible. Other key members of the team include Cardiff-based quantity surveyors Chandler KBS, Holder Mathias Architects Ltd and structural engineers Shear Design Ltd.

Cardiff is currently witnessing thousands of new student rooms being built as the city looks to accommodate an increasing number of students moving into the city. It is expected that nearly 6,000 rooms will be developed over the next few years, with the aim of freeing up more privately owned and rental properties in the city for residential use.

ENDS