Swindon & Wiltshire News
Topping out ceremony held at student accommodation development in Bath
A topping out ceremony has been held at a student accommodation development in Bath ahead of completion in the summer.
The £13 million Hollis Wharf development, led by student developer Alumno and built by RED Construction Group’s South West team with funding from Heitman, will provide 120 studios and cluster bed rooms.
The ground and mezzanine floors will be occupied by local charity Mercy in Action, which has been based at the site for a number of years.
The building is located on the riverside of the River Avon in walking distance to Bath’s city centre and Bath Spa University.
The student residence will offer a range of student bedroom types and sizes, including en-suite rooms, organised in clusters, and self-contained studios, and a range of entertainment, play and study spaces with a large roof terrace offering fantastic views over the city.
The building’s atrium will incorporate a sculptural installation by renowned ceramic artist Patricia Volk.
Based in Bath, Volk is known for her ability to merge contemporary ceramics with historical references, and her work for this project will pay homage to the area’s textile industry.
Her sculpture, inspired by Bath’s rich traditions in textiles and dyeing, will serve as a visual focal point in the building, creating a bridge between past craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Alumno managing director David Campbell said: “This project has been a collaboration between our team, architects, contractors, and local stakeholders, and we are thrilled to see the vision come to life.
“The topping out signifies the strong progress we’ve made, and we’re looking forward to welcoming students to this exceptional new residence in Bath.”
Derek Quinn, executive director of RED Construction South West, added:”Our team has worked carefully within the rich heritage of the site to deliver a sustainable, mixed-use community.
“We are proud to have worked alongside Alumno and the wider project team on this prominent riverside location for the students of Bath and applaud the client on the creative use of art within the space.”
The topping out ceremony was attended by Alumno’s CEO David Campbell, RED Construction, Architects AAW. The planning application was supported by the University of Bath and Bath Spa, which welcomes new student accommodation to free up housing for local people.
The project is due to complete in the late summer 2025.
