Plan for 580-bed Manchester First Street student scheme

Property developer Vita plans to build a 580-bed student block at the First Street development area in Manchester.

The 14-storey project will be built on a previously cleared site now used for car parking called plot 10b the First Street masterplan.

The House of Social scheme is being styled as the student house re-imagined as multiple clusters within a mid rise block.

Designed specifically for second- and third-year students, each ‘House’ is centred around an open plan kitchen and lounge space, designed to bring housemates together with large ensuite bedrooms on either side.

Some larger clusters have a small kitchen in each room.

Plans include a large ground-floor food hall offering around 400 covers.

Max Bielby, chief operating officer for Vita Group, said: “We’re delighted to bring forward these exciting new plans for our new student brand House of Social, adding to the First Street masterplan and complementing our neighbouring Vita Student offering.

“House of Social is the student house re-imagined, bringing students together at the most important time in their life and giving them the opportunity to make life-long friends whilst excelling in their studies.”

Vita hopes to be able to start House of Social this year.

The scheme is being progressed alongside Ask Real Estate’s plans for a 300,000 sq ft net zero office on the adjacent 10 plot a.

Developer Ask’s adjacent office scheme also in for planning on the plot 10 site

Plans for this taller 13-storey office scheme, designed by Jon Matthews Architects were submitted for planning in January.

The significant staff investment comes just a year after SIAMP UK officially opened new state-of-theart warehouse and office facilities in Stockport following a period of growth which saw their sales double in just six years.

A world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of sanitary equipment, SIAMP has a presence in five continents, including its headquarters in Monaco and a sales subsidiary here in the UK.

Joining Managing Director Ashley Shires and UK Commercial Manager Ross Rigby are: Area Sales Manager (North) Ashley Lorne, Area Sales Manager (South West) Kevin Lewis, Area Sales Manager (South East) Ivan Brown, Contract Sales Manager (South) Keith Nicholson and Area Sales Manager (Midlands) Craig Finch.

SIAMP UK also recently celebrated their 75th anniversary by becoming the exclusive distributor of the prestigious Pellet brand in the UK and ROI, a market leader in France of bathroom and toilet comfort and safety products, with over 60 years of experience and a huge portfolio of products ranging from high-end bathroom grab rails and shower seats, to hand dryers and swivel bathroom mirrors.

Ashley Shires, Managing Director of SIAMP UK, said: “We are delighted and extremely excited to continue SIAMP’s expansion and investment here in the UK with five additions to the team.

“Ashley, Kevin, Ivan, Keith and Craig bring with them the perfect mix of youth, experience and passion to our sales team, and I am thoroughly looking forward to working with them all and seeing what they can bring to SIAMP UK.

“This significant investment in our team only adds to the recent success we have enjoyed in the UK and we are keen to continue building on this in the future.”

Founded in 1947, pioneer of the plastic toilet seat and now a global leader of flushing technology, SIAMP is the brand chosen by leading ceramic manufacturers to provide the flushing solution throughout the world.

One of the biggest distributors of sanitary products for the bathroom environment both commercially and domestically, with products including wall hung solutions, flush plates, flushing technology, cisterns and toilet seats, SIAMP continues to invest in new technologies to develop new products and perfect the efficiency of manufacturing. Understanding the importance of water sustainability, SIAMP develops technical solutions to protect this resource for future generations. Regularly at the forefront of innovation, recognised by a large number of international patents.

You can learn more about SIAMP and their products on their website: www.siamp.co.uk