Topping out of new 836 bed Portsmouth Student accommodation

K2 Consultancy together with Unite, the UK's operator of purpose built student accommodation and the contractor RG Group, celebrated the topping out of Greetham Street accommodation in Portsmouth. 

The topping out represents the completion of the structural construction phase of the new 836 bedrooms, 24 storey Portsmouth development. 

When the property opens for the 2016/17 academic year, it will bring a vibrant and culturally diverse community of students to the heart of Portsmouth.  The scheme consists of two plots of land and will have a concrete bridge going over the highway with eighteen stories above Unite. This site is located next to the main railway line into Portsmouth.

The property is made up of 75 studios and 85 flats with 5-10 bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. It boasts panoramic views across Portsmouth City Centre. 
The 19th floor provides a common room with views over the City and the Isle of Wight. 

In addition, to a ground floor entrance and common room, there is a storage facility for the City Council Market traders. The construction works commenced in November 2014 and set to be delivered by Autumn 2016.

Unite has been using K2 Consultancy to Project and Cost manage the 0.77-acre site. 

Chris Sorenti, Senior Project Manager for Unite said: 

“The completion of the new Unite development in Portsmouth will represent a significant addition to our portfolio. This new scheme will support our ambition to grow our market share of competitively priced student accommodation in Portsmouth where demand exceeds supply.  It has been a pleasure to work with K2 Consultancy, who have strived to deliver outstanding service to us in the past and this is no exception."

Matthew Loughlin, K2 Consultancy Director added:

“We aim to always focus on a professional high-quality completion and are able to manage numerous stakeholders involved. This represents one of the three schemes we are managing for Unite."

New student accommodation

Lobby

 

Panoramic views across Portsmouth City Centre and Isle of Wight

Leading Consultancy Firm nominated for Gatwick Diamond Business Award 2016

K2 Consultancy Group has been named a finalist for "Professional Services Firm of the Year" Award at the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards.  The event is annual and it recognises business innovation and success in an aim to raise awareness about entrepreneurship excellence in the area.

John Setra, Managing Director says: 

"K2 are delighted to have been selected as finalist in this category. We are particularly proud given the calibre of the entrants and the other finalists. We hope this nomination helps us in working more closely with other Gatwick Diamond organisations."

K2 Consultancy Group is a dynamic, independent consulting company providing a full range of consulting and management services to property developers, investors, owners and public bodies. K2 was established in 2001 and over the last 15 years we have demonstrated flexibility, professionalism, and excellent customer service.

The short listed candidates have been chosen following successful nominations and visits from the judges.  Winners will be announced at a special awards dinner on 17 March at the Copthorne Effingham Park Hotel.

A warm welcome from the K2 team to Joe Stiddard-Jenkins, our new Senior Project Manager

Joe has joined the K2 Team in Gatwick as a Senior Project Manager having recently worked on a large pharmaceutical project in Cambridge. Prior to this he had been working for the Contractor on the Arup designed King Abdullah Sports City Project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Prior to this he spent 5 years working for a consultancy on various projects in the South East and in Paris for another Project in Saudi Arabia. He Started out working in Technical Services for Cemex near Bristol before joining a main-contractor as a Trainee Site Manager.

He has worked on two large scale new build projects in Saudi Arabia (FIFA Stadium & University) and has worked on projects in the Residential, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Education and Commercial sectors whilst UK based.

Joe is a proud new father to young Sidney and outside the office he likes to spend time with family. He also likes to be outdoors on the weekends/evenings whether that be on bike, motorbike or walking with his dog. He likes to get to the mountains at least once a year, follows Wales in the Rugby and is a part owner of a national hunt racehorse with friends in the construction industry.

Jaguar Land Rover dealership to open in Milton Keynes

K2 is driving ahead with a series of car showroom refurbishments and new builds, after starting on a new dual brand Jaguar Land Rover dealership in Milton Keynes. The site is located on the corner of Tongwell Street and Northfield Drive.

Richard Bates, Quantity Surveyor at K2 said: “We are pleased to have commenced the construction and look forward to seeing the development teams hard work come into fruition when the scheme is completed in late October. The Jaguar Land Rover scheme is a particularly interesting project for us because it is maximising available space with two iconic brands.“

K2 are providing Project and Cost Management services to develop the 45,000sq ft facility. It is one of the first dealerships in the UK that will house two brands - Jaguar and Land Rover – and will be used for car sales and repairs.  It will incorporate a 10 car showroom for each car, a service drive through and a roof top car park.

Jardine Motors Group appointed K2 to work on a variety of projects,  from corporate identity upgrades to refurbishments and new build projects across a number of dealerships from Ferrari, Bentley and Mercedes Benz schemes.

Iain Last K2 Project Manager continued: “We are delighted to be working for Jardine Motors Group on these high-profile projects which will improve facilities for their customers. We pride ourselves on delivering a professional service to all of our clients, all of the time. ”

Photos: SDA Architects

K2 support CRASH appeal for Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

K2 are very pleased to support CRASH's No Christmas Card Appeal, to help them build a better future for homeless men and women.

The full video of our ecard can be viewed here: www.crashcares.com/k2-consultancy

An Evening with Zinzan Brooke

K2 hosted a table at the Alexander Jansons Foundation charity event at Home House, Portman Square, London

The dinner was followed by a Q&A session with Zinzan Brooke, New Zealand’s International Rugby Union Legend. A total amount of £5626 was raised.

The Foundation has pledged money to fund research into the causes, prevention and cures for Myocarditis and ultimately to produce a research paper to be published in medical journals. The knowledge gained from the research will add to the body of existing knowledge and increase the understanding of the disease and how it can be prevented and cured, therefore saving lives in the future.

A great event supporting a very worthy cause.

New Development at 350 Basingstoke Road, Reading

K2 Consultancy  are pleased to deliver the multi-million redevelopment at 350 Basingstoke Road, Reading – a prime food and leisure development due to open early 2016.

Janson’s Property purchased the freehold interest of this site and undertook the development. The scheme is funded by Jansons in partnership with William Pears Group.

We acted on behalf of Janson Property provided Development Management, Project Management, Cost Consultancy, Employers Agent and CDM Coordinator

Our involvement commenced just as the site had been acquired after which we engaged with agents and potential occupiers before concluding an optimum site arrangement for Aldi, a discount supermarket chain, Green King pub/family restaurant and Pure Gym in two purpose built buildings.

K2 led the process and managed the development and completion of the commercial elements including obtaining planning permission, design, procurement and construction process, all consultant and contractors, reporting to Jansons Development Director. Our input extended to the legal agreements, Heads of Terms and Agreement for Lease as well as arrangements for the investment sale including the Development Agreement.

We ensured successful project delivery and maximised return. By adopting a cost-focused design process and implementing a robust commercial approach, the buildings were successfully fully let prior to demolition commencing of the previous office buildings.

Phillip Jemmison, Assistant Director of K2 commented: “We are thrilled to see the completion of this development, reinforcing our capability. The project is a result of our drive to properly understand our client's needs and implement robust project cost management practices to ensure that the client’s delivery requirements were met.”