GMI Construction to build £50m York development

GMI Construction Group has been appointed to construct a £50m student accommodation scheme on the site of a former cinema and Bingo Hall in York.Located to the south east of the city centre, in Fulford, the 80,000 sq ft site will feature a four-storey building comprising of 275 beds and facilities including a gym yoga studio, games room, co-working and group dining areas. In recognition of the location’s history the scheme will feature a cinema.Other facilities will include integrated cycle parking and landscaped courtyards.The development is the latest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development from Olympian Homes, which is also active in hotel, build to rent, co-living and affordable housing sectors.The scheme is being brought forward in partnership with funder Cain International.GMI has worked with Olympian Homes and its professional team throughout the pre-construction services agreement period to develop a buildable, cost-effective and sustainable design.Construction is due to begin in the coming weeks, following the completion of archaeological works.Andrew Hurcomb, GMI Construction’s regional director for Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have secured this contract with Olympian Homes, which is allowing us to continue to contribute to the creation of much needed purpose-built student accommodation in York.”Rialto House is a great location, close to the city centre and the university campuses and will support the city in attracting students who want to study in this beautiful and historic city.”James Lindridge, chief operating officer and development director at Olympian Homes, added: “This marks the delivery phase of another scheme for Olympian Homes and aims to address the undersupply of high-quality, purpose-built student accommodation within York. It has been a pleasure to work with the Council, local stakeholders and GMI to deliver this scheme.”The site is located within an area of archaeological importance and adjacent to the Centra Core Historic Conservation Area. An open day displaying any finds will be held at the site once the archaeological works are complete.Olympian Homes’ scheme will be named Rialto House, recognising the famous cinema that once stood on the site. Opened in 1913 and demolished in 2003, the cinema played host to many famous performances, including The Beatles who performed there four times in 1963.Latterly the site of the cinema became a car park for the adjacent bingo hall, which has also since closed and is included in the footprint of this PBSA scheme.