The Haymarket, Edinburgh: Student Accommodation Pods

The Client

Elements Europe has worked in collaboration with Edmond Shipway on a new student accommodation scheme in Edinburgh, for client West Park Place Developments Ltd.

The scheme was provided as a turnkey solution by The Pickstock Group using parent company Pickstock Construction as the main contractor.

Project Description: 168 Student Room Pods

The scheme, named the Haymarket was developed in two phases. Elements Europe manufactured 168 Room Pods in total, comprising of studio and en-suite Room Pods.

Studio Room Pods feature a kitchenette facility, sleeping and study area, as well as an en-suite bathroom.

The smaller en-suite Room Pods offer students a room with en-suite bathroom, study area and sleeping area. Students in these rooms share a communal kitchen, which will also be manufactured by Elements Europe.

Elements Europe’s design team worked closely with Acanthus Architects to advise on the most efficient way to modularise the building.

Phase 1, the largest section of the development saw 125 Room Pods installed in mid- July.

This first phase included the renovation of an existing derelict post office building on the site, which was modularised to accommodate seven Room Pods. These were installed by the main contractor removing one of the walls from the building and Elements Europe’s installation team carefully installing the Room Pods. This building was then adjoined to the main accommodation block.

Phase 2 of the scheme featured an additional 43 Room Pods in two separate three-storey buildings located at opposite ends of the main accommodation block.

Elements Europe manufactured a show flat for the scheme to assist in the pre-letting of rooms prior to the first phase opening for the September intake of students.

CRM, the largest student accommodation operators in the UK, will manage the scheme.