Leading design & build contractor McAleer & Rushe, together with Greystar, a global leader in the investment, development and management of rental housing, and Student Roost, the award-winning purpose-built student accommodation operator, has marked a significant construction milestone with the topping out of a new 836-bed Purpose-Built Student Accommodation development in Selly Oak, Birmingham.
The topping out ceremony, held on Wednesday 24 June, brought together key project stakeholders, the wider design team and supply chain partners to celebrate the structural completion of the scheme, marking an important step forward in the delivery of one of Birmingham’s major new student living developments.
Located on the former Sainsbury’s supermarket site at 1 Chapel Lane, the project is transforming a long-vacant brownfield plot into a mixed-use destination for students and the wider Selly Oak community. Once complete, the development will be operated by Student Roost providing 472 studios and 364 cluster bedrooms across two buildings, alongside approximately 26,000 sq ft of commercial space.
The scheme will also deliver a new community medical centre, 31 car parking spaces, landscaped public areas, and significant enhancements to the surrounding public realm. By reinstating the Bristol Road high street frontage and opening up the former island site, the development will help create a more accessible, active, and welcoming environment in the heart of Selly Oak.
Designed to support a high-quality student living experience, the development will include over 13,000 sq ft of resident amenities, including dedicated study areas, social lounges, a fully equipped gym, and an on-site cinema. These spaces have been carefully considered to encourage wellbeing, community, and a balanced student lifestyle.
Sustainability remains central to the delivery of the scheme, which is targeting BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and EPC A ratings. The development will incorporate features including a green roof, solar panels, and the use of sustainable construction materials, supporting long-term operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Darragh Greenan, Director at McAleer & Rushe, said:
“The topping out of Selly Oak marks an important milestone in the delivery of a complex regeneration scheme that will provide high-quality student accommodation, new public realm, commercial space, and community healthcare provision.
“Our continued partnership with Greystar, following Canvas Wembley and our ongoing works at Pearl Yard Bermondsey, reflects a shared commitment to delivering sustainable, well-connected living environments that deliver lasting value in key urban locations.
“Reaching this stage is the result of close collaboration across the project team, from early design coordination through to safe and efficient delivery on site. We look forward to building on this progress as the scheme advances towards completion.”
Thomasin Renshaw, Managing Director – UK Development, Greystar, said:
“Reaching this milestone is an important moment for everyone involved in bringing The Triangle to life. Working alongside McAleer & Rushe once again, we are delivering a high-quality student accommodation scheme that will transform a prominent brownfield site into a vibrant new destination for students and the wider Selly Oak community.
“The Triangle is the first development project Greystar is delivering for Student Roost following the acquisition of the business. It brings together Greystar’s expertise in designing and developing high-quality rental housing with Student Roost’s proven track record of creating welcoming, community-focused student homes. As construction progresses, we’re looking forward to seeing that vision become a reality and welcoming students to The Triangle.”
Ashling Fox, Managing Director, Student Roost, added:
“We are thrilled to be marking our return to Birmingham with a property of this scale and quality in the heart of the city’s student community.
“The Triangle not only represents significant investment in the student housing provision in Selly Oak but also marks an important milestone as our first development in partnership with Greystar, operating under the Student Roost brand.
“We look forward to continuing to expand our UK portfolio, bringing together Greystar’s global development expertise with Student Roost’s operational excellence that puts community and connection at the forefront of the student living experience.”
