King Edwards Street, Nottingham

The King Edward Street development for Fusion Students is a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme located in the heart of Nottingham. Strategically positioned within walking distance of both Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, the project delivers modern, high-quality student living to meet the growing demand for well-managed accommodation.

The development transforms a historically significant site, replacing former office buildings with a carefully designed residential scheme that integrates into the city fabric while offering contemporary, comfortable student homes. Farrow Walsh provided structural and civil engineering guidance across the project, ensuring the design responded effectively to the site’s complex constraints.

The site is located on the former Nottingham Jail, historically containing the deepest prison pit in the city. It is set on sandstone and includes natural caves and cavities beneath the surface, presenting significant geotechnical and structural challenges. Additionally, existing office buildings on the site required demolition and careful management to prepare for the new construction. The combination of a historically sensitive site, complex ground conditions, and flood risk considerations required detailed assessment and planning before construction could proceed.

Farrow Walsh advised on the demolition of existing office structures and developed a piled foundation solution tailored to the sandstone geology and underlying voids. The structural strategy incorporated a light gauge steel frame (LGSF) superstructure above, enabling efficient construction while accommodating the challenging site conditions. Flood risk was carefully assessed and integrated into the design to safeguard the building and its occupants. Through early investigation, careful planning, and structural guidance, Farrow Walsh helped unlock a technically complex site, enabling the delivery of high-quality student accommodation in central Nottingham.