Alumno’s £24m Dogpool Lane student accommodation project is to receive funding via a partnership with Woh Hup Holdings Limited, creating rooms for 167 students and an enhanced public space
Glenn Howells Architects will design the Dogpool Lane student accommodation, which will comprise brickwork and terracotta detailing, referencing local materials, while also providing a new identity for the building.
Dogpool Lane will be a 24-hour managed residence accommodating students from local universities and a dental hospital
Student accommodation at Dogpool Lane will comprise a mix of cluster beds and single occupancy studio rooms for 167 residents, together with a reception and communal areas.
The scheme will also provide an improved retail space for the existing Post Office and newsagent based on the site, which will be relocated close by during construction.
In line with Alumno’s philosophy of adding value to the local community adjacent to its developments and working with local artists, there will also be an enhanced public area in front of the building, which will include landscaping, seating and cycle stands.
This space will feature public art, including a poetry garden created through an initiative led by Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey in partnership with the Ikon Gallery, Writing West Midlands and pupils of the neighbouring Selly Park Girls School. Another local creative talent, emerging artist Betsey Bradley, has also been commissioned to design a sculpture for the courtyard of the new building.
The project is part of Woh Hup’s growing UK student accommodation portfolio
“I’m delighted that we have secured funding from Woh Hup for this project, which will provide an economic boost to local businesses and deliver much needed accommodation for Birmingham’s growing student population,” said Alumno managing director David Campbell. “As with all our developments, we have worked closely with the surrounding community and local authority to ensure the scheme enhances this vibrant area.”
Phil Johnson at Woh Hup commented on financing the project: “We believe high-quality purpose-built student accommodation in the UK offers great opportunities to investors. We are excited to be partnering with Alumno, an outstanding and pioneering developer specialising in this area, and look forward to growing the relationship.”
Alumno plans to have the new building completed for the 2024 student intake.
