RG Group were appointed the main contractor for the construction and fit out of a new development in Whitson Street, Bristol for Unite Students on the old Bristol Royal Infirmary site.
The development consists of 3 accommodation blocks, arranged around a central landscaped courtyard, which provided 431 bedrooms and communal spaces including a cinema room, study areas, gymnasium and a karaoke room.
The building foundations contained 398 15m deep CFA piles, some of which were socketed into a quartzitic granite shelf under part of the site. The super structure of the building was constructed from reinforced concrete and the external envelop partly utilised stone reclaimed from the original Bristol Royal Infirmary which was built in 1740.
The project achieved Ultra site status through the Considerate Contractors Scheme, scoring 49 points out of a possible 50. Which was categorised as ‘Outstanding’ by the CCS and is amongst the top 1% of construction projects in the UK in respect of CCS scores.
Throughout the project the site team and sub contractors supported local charities and events including a paddle-board litter pick of Bristol harbour, RSPB days at Otmoor & Broadwater Moor reserves, held food bank collections and provided materials and labour to a wildflower planting project at Bristol City Council, College Green in the heart of the city.
