Background
Fusion Students is part of the Fusion group of companies, focused on developing high-quality, design-led student accommodation throughout the UK. The Froomsgate acquisition and development represents Fusion Students' second scheme in Bristol.
Refurbishment involved transforming a former 91,335 sq ft multi-tenanted office building with integral car parking facilities into luxury student accommodation. Situated on Rupert Street, the contemporary building now includes a gym, cinema room, games area and breakout spaces.
Our involvement
The Construction team at Thrings drafted and negotiated a full suite of construction documentation for the project. This included a bespoke JCT design and build contract, professional consultant appointments, novation agreements and collateral warranties, as well as a development agreement. The building contract was procured through a two-stage tender negotiation.
During this project, the Construction team worked closely with a range of partners, including Vinci – the main contractor, architects Corstorphine & Wright, management and engineering consultants Amber Management, and quantity surveyor McCreadies.
The outcome
With two additional floors added, the 17-storey Froomsgate House now provides more than 480 bed spaces for students. The building achieved a BREEAM “Excellent” rating as a result of the design standards and façade upgrade works.
Thrings’ effective negotiations with the funder, Cheyne Capital, also led to the drawdown of a development facility for Fusion’s second scheme in Bristol.
Following the Construction team’s legal support on this project, we were also instructed to advise Fusion on pipeline development schemes in Cardiff, Newcastle and Nottingham, with a total development value of £90m.