Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in turnkey solutions for industrial, build-to-rent, student accommodation and commercial projects has arrived on site in the heart of Milton Keynes to construct and fit out 294 one, two and three bedroom apartments.
The £47.3m project, Aubrey Place, is the vision of build-to-rent developer and operator Packaged Living and is being supported by funders Invesco. The scheme started on site in January 2020 and will be complete in April 2022.
Due to its city centre location, the site is compact and the H shaped building will extend to all four boundaries; the structure comprising two primary towers and a link block of 10, 12, 14 and 18 storeys will therefore be constructed out of concrete and poured in-situ over a 118 week programme, Prior to this, Winvic is undertaking a significant amount of earthworks on site to facilitate an undercroft car park and cycle stores that will house 47 vehicles and 294 bikes. Residents will not only be able to enjoy the city centre facilities, but they will also have access to a communal area on floor 11, which includes a rooftop garden.
The project’s development can be viewed via the on-site camera – visit Aubrey Place on Winvic Live.
The scheme is also taking advantage of the city’s Combined Heat and Power (CHP) energy station, located close to the site; Winvic will connect the apartments to the district heating plant, meaning residents will use a renewable source of energy for their hot water and heating. This stand out, low carbon provision removes the need for alternative renewable technologies in the design, such as solar panels, as well as boilers in the apartments.
Architects, Maber, and Winvic’s design team have ensured Aubrey Place will also be aesthetically prominent, with its classic brick façade providing a contrast to the surrounding fully glazed and panelled buildings. Winvic will be using four different brick types, including a striking green glass brick that will cover the whole of the ground floor’s exterior. A portion of the ground floor – facing Avebury Boulevard – will be created as a commercial unit.
Mark Jones, Director of Multi-room, commented: “We are once again thrilled to be working with another new client, Packaged Living, and that our reputation for constructing built-to-rent projects on compact city centre sites continues to strengthen. Aubrey Place grabbed our attention from initial discussions because it has some unusual and challenging elements. From the large undercroft parking basement and the concrete frame design to the CHP energy station connection and attractive glass brickwork, this scheme is certainly distinctive and one we are confident we will deliver on time and budget.”
Mark Woodrow, Managing Director from Packaged Living, added: “Winvic has successfully completed and are working on a number of complex build-to-rent projects in UK city centres, and their expertise in the sector gave us every assurance needed for their appointment. Their design team and our architects, Maber, have been working hard on the scheme; comprising of a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments – with a range of floor layouts to accommodate various lifestyle choices – we believe the scheme will become Milton Keynes’ premier live, work and play destination and we’re looking forward to delivering a service beyond what is currently available in the market.”
