Monk Bridge, Leeds

Project:                        Monk Bridge, Leeds
Sector:                         Build-to-rent    
Client:                          Highline Investments
Main Contractor:        Galliford Try  
Architects:                  Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher
Pod Type:                    Enhanced, floorless GRP bath and shower pods   
Number of pods:         988
Contract value:           £3.7m   

Reflecting the Increased Demand for Enhanced GRP Pods

Offsite Solutions was awarded a £3.7m project to manufacture nearly 1,000 pods for a £105m build-to-rent residential scheme in Leeds under construction by Galliford Try.

This latest contract is another indicator of the increasing demand for bathroom pods for build-to-rent projects and in particular for enhanced GRP bath and shower pods.

A Major Build-to-rent Scheme

Developed by Highline Investments and designed by Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher, Monk Bridge is set to transform the cityscape in Leeds.

The ambitious skyline project on a major regeneration site near the River Aire will provide 665 homes for rent over five buildings from 12 to 22 storeys high. The scheme includes the restoration of the adjacent former railway arches for retail, leisure and restaurant uses and the top of a Grade II listed historic viaduct will be transformed into a new public park.

The Bathroom Pod Solution

Offsite Solutions is manufacturing and fitting out 700 bathroom pods, and 288 ensuite shower pods for the studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments at Monk Bridge.

The project will use Offsite Solutions’ recently launched enhanced GRP pods which offer numerous aesthetic features designed to appeal to prospective tenants, as well as significantly lower capital and operating costs.

The pods will have porcelain-tiled feature walls, a tiled recess above the bath, a tiled splashback above the hand basin, a solid surface vanity shelf, wall hung toilet, full width mirrored bathroom cabinets and high quality Hansgrohe brassware. The shower pods will have bifold glass doors.

Floorless Pods to Minimise Floor Build-up

All the pods for Monk Bridge will be supplied floorless, which allows the units to be installed directly onto the floor slab, making it easier to achieve continuous level floors throughout and minimise floor build-up for each storey.

The bathroom and shower pods will have an integral tile-effect finish within the GRP carcase, which compliments the porcelain-tiled feature wall. This avoids the need for grout and tiles in the wet areas and significantly reduces the cost of ongoing maintenance – an ideal solution for build-to-rent.

The Customer Perspective

Mark Neale, Senior Design Manager, Galliford Try:

“Bathroom pods are an ideal solution for a residential development of this scale. This use of offsite construction reduces the programme and the number of trades on site – from plumbers to tilers and plasterers – and provides the level of quality we need because of the extra control you can achieve in a factory.”

“Offsite Solutions has a flexible approach and was able to offer us a more bespoke solution for the bathrooms and shower rooms to accommodate the client’s specific requirements, such as door widths and locations. The pod specification was upgraded to include a number of enhancements such as the addition of porcelain feature tiles and a high-quality shower and brassware. We visited the factory with the client which was very useful. It is an impressive set up.”

Monk Bridge perspective courtsey of Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher.