Ogilvie Construction has successfully completed a £33 million student residence in Glasgow’s West End on behalf of Bricks Capital for their ‘true’ student accommodation brand.

Built on the site of former warehousing at Kelvinhaugh Street, the 589 bedroom facility consists of three separate blocks of between 5 and 9 storeys constructed above a semi basement parking space.

One block was created using traditional steel and lightweight steel framing, with the other two blocks built using a volumetric modular container system pre-fabricated and fully fitted out off-site and assembled on arrival in Glasgow. 

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said:

“We are proud to have been involved in such an innovative construction project in the city.  The building provides a uniquely modern environment for students in Glasgow, completed to the highest standard and incorporating the latest sustainable materials and design.”

Marc Carter, Managing Director at true, said:

“This brand new development offers state-of-the-art accommodation and amenities to provide with the very best in student living. Ogilvie Construction has completed this complex and innovative development on schedule and to a very high standard.”

Ogilvie Construction is part of the Ogilvie Group, one of Scotland’s most consistently successful family owned businesses.  The company is over 60 years old and employs over 400 people across its various business operations. 

With the final containers in place and the finishing touches being made to the True Glasgow student accommodation project, Global Construction Review took a look at the unique construction method that has reduces build time and improves health safety. The full article can be read below:

A new high-end student accommodation is nearing completion in Glasgow made from pre-manufactured steel boxes made and fitted out completely in China.

Called “True Glasgow West End”, the 592-room complex taking shape on a former industrial site by the River Clyde borrows both its branding approach and luxury standards from the hotel business.

At a time when the UK construction industry is under pressure to modernise with pre-manufacturing techniques, its developer says the modular approach isn’t cheaper, but does cut build time by up to 20%, improves health and safety, and ensures finished quality as predictably as car manufacturing.

Everything in the room is sourced and fitted by China International Marine Containers (CIMC) except the TV and the bed mattress, which are added later.

“The bed is in, the flooring is in, the curtains are in, the desk is in, the lights are in, even the desk chair and the waste-paper bin,” said Marc Carter, managing director of developer True Student Ltd. “Everything is included. When the modules arrive we fit a mattress made in the UK and we fit a TV, because that’s too fragile to ship.”

BBC Scotland have recently featured a video of Ogilvie Construction's unique project at Kelvinhaugh Street in Glasgow. The video explains the new building method that saves around 20% of construction time using shipping containers that are fitted out off-site then stacked together to produce a nine storey student accommodation block. 

The full write-up and video can be seen here.

On the 15th February 2017, 2nd year HND Construction Manager Students from Glasgow College visited the Kelvinhaugh Student Accommodation project.

Project Manager, Gavin Fraser and Trainee Graduate Site Manager, Stephen Prentice conducted the site walk-round and presentation to the students.

Ann MacDonald, Lecturer from Glasgow College said: "The students were very impressed by their visit which has given them a very valuable insight into the many and varied responsibilities of a Construction Manager.  Your presentation was superb and the site walk-round was very informative"

The Kelvinhaugh Street project was recently revealed as Ogilvie's 100th Considerate Construction Scheme project.

Ogilvie Construction has reached it’s 100^th building project registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, reflecting the company’s commitment to operate safe, clean sites and respect neighbouring communities.

The site at Kelvinhaugh Street in Glasgow, where Ogilvie is building a 607 bedroom student accommodation building, has the honour of being the 100^th project in the scheme.

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “We are proud to have reached this significant milestone. It is essential that we always consider the effect of construction work on the local neighbourhood and engage with the community to take account of their needs throughout the project.  Our site teams work closely with communities over the lifetime of the build.”

The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a non-profit making independent organisation founded in 1997 by the construction industry to improve its image.

Construction sites, companies and suppliers voluntarily register with the Scheme and agree to abide by the Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

True Student Living have released a fascinating video of their Kelvinhaugh Street student accommodation, currently under development by Ogilvie Construction. The unique project will be home to over 600 Glasgow students with luxury en-suite rooms and facilities including a cinema, library, gym and cafe.

Watch the video here: