Holyrood Student Accommodation, Edinburgh

Completion Date: March 2014 (South) / May 2015 (North)

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Client - University of Edinburgh

Main Contractor - Balfour Beatty

Architect - Richard Murphy Architects (South) / JM Architects (North)

Engineer - Buro Happold (South) / Blyth & Blyth (North)

Project Overview

Back in 2012, our team delivered the groundworks and reinforced concrete (RC) frame for a major student-accommodation project in Edinburgh. From early excavation right through to the topped-out structural frame, we laid the physical and engineering foundations of a facility creating great student living spaces.

Stephenson Group Contribution

Stephenson Group’s scope included:

• Full works on the groundworks: excavation, piling, sub-structure – setting the building safely into its site.

• Delivery of the RC frame: the reinforced concrete skeleton, providing the structural stability, floor-to-floor continuity and load-bearing capacity for the building.

• Close collaboration in sequencing and logistics to ensure that sub-structure and super-structure evolved smoothly, minimizing risk and maintaining timeline integrity.

Why this matters

Our early structural work ensured:

• A strong, durable base for years of student-use ahead

• A seamless transition from groundwork to frame enabling efficient overall delivery

• That the building could accommodate the architectural and operational aspirations of the client with confidence