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McAleer & Rushe has been appointed to deliver a mixed-use student housing scheme at The Printworks in Tottenham, combining new build with the restoration of Grade II-listed buildings, reflecting a growing trend towards heritage-sensitive urban developments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
McAleer & Rushe has been appointed to deliver a substantial new student accommodation scheme in north London, adding to its growing portfolio of mixed-use and student developments across the UK. The contractor will construct a 287-bedroom purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project at The Printworks, located on Tottenham High Road. The client behind the scheme is High Road West (Tottenham) Limited, which has commissioned the project integrating both new construction and heritage preservation.<\/p>\n
This scheme is notable for its combination of a new-build block to the rear of the site alongside the restoration of two Grade II-listed buildings on the high street. Eleven bedrooms will be created within the restored historic fa\u00e7ades, while the majority of rooms will be housed in the modern block. The development features landscaped gardens, shared social areas, and a variety of indoor and outdoor amenities designed to enhance student wellbeing and community life. Mark Diamond, senior director at McAleer & Rushe, highlighted the project’s delicate balance between preservation and innovation, emphasizing the contractor\u2019s commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable student accommodation that respects the local heritage context.<\/p>\n
While the original announcement valued the project at \u00a362.4 million, some sources around the time of the contract award reported a figure closer to \u00a330 million. The architectural design is led by local practice F3 Architects, who have crafted a scheme that maintains the historical printworks\u2019 fa\u00e7ade while integrating new urban blocks behind it. This blend of old and new is intended to maintain Tottenham’s character while providing modern student living spaces equipped with wellness and social facilities.<\/p>\n
McAleer & Rushe’s expertise in the student accommodation sector is well-established. Earlier in 2025, the company marked the topping out of an \u00a385 million student scheme in Birmingham, a project delivered for its property arm MRP. This followed the commencement of a \u00a390 million student accommodation development in Birmingham\u2019s Selly Oak area, targeting high sustainability standards with BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and EPC A ratings, and incorporating eco-friendly features such as green roofs and solar panels. These projects reflect the company\u2019s focus on sustainable building practices within the student housing market, which is under significant pressure in key UK university cities.<\/p>\n
Beyond London and Birmingham, McAleer & Rushe is involved in other major student accommodation schemes, including a \u00a352 million 267-bed development in Edinburgh\u2019s New Waverley regeneration area. This project forms part of a \u00a3240 million regeneration masterplan, boasting facilities like gyms and social spaces aimed at providing a high-quality living environment. The company has already completed several phases of this development and is preparing to deliver the latter phases to meet demand in one of Scotland’s most vibrant student housing markets.<\/p>\n
The firm’s consistent work across the UK student accommodation sector extends to Liverpool, where they were appointed to build a 420-unit PBSA scheme featuring innovative amenities such as recording studios, fitness facilities, and wellness areas. Offsite manufacturing techniques are a key feature of their approach here, ensuring quality control and timely delivery, aligned with the aim of achieving BREEAM \u2018Very Good\u2019 sustainability ratings.<\/p>\n
In London itself, McAleer & Rushe secured a separate \u00a3100 million contract for a 21-storey student tower near the City of London. This project, designed by Danish studio 3XN, includes over 700 student rooms, substantial communal spaces, and extensive sustainable building measures, aiming for a BREEAM Outstanding rating. Construction involves the use of prefabricated components and innovative building technologies to enhance efficiency and environmental performance.<\/p>\n
The Tottenham Printworks project epitomises McAleer & Rushe\u2019s strategic positioning within the student accommodation market, where there is a growing demand for sustainable, well-located, and heritage-sensitive developments. According to Mark Diamond, the scheme is an exemplar of how modern student living can be harmoniously integrated with conservation efforts, setting a benchmark for future developments in heritage-rich urban areas.<\/p>\n