From Carillion To Co-Living: One Office Block's Unusual Transformation
The former headquarters of collapsed construction giant Carillion is being transformed into an £8M co-living project.
The 218-room conversion in Wolverhampton is among the handful of co-living schemes underway in the U.K., so far all refurbishments. Investors are taking a keen interest. The first new build is due in Manchester.
The Studios24 development at Birch Street will have rooms arranged as apartments, with shared facilities including kitchens, working and relaxation areas, a café and bar, a gym, laundry and high speed internet.
The first three floors of apartments at the 12-storey building have been completed and 55 rooms have been let. Completion of the development is expected in spring 2020. Further rooms will be released on an ongoing basis, as floors of apartments are completed.
In March 2015 Carillion moved head offices in Wolverhampton city centre, transferring from the former Tarmac HQ at Birch Street to a 42K SF 1970s block at Salop Street.
Carillion fell into administration in January 2018.
Co-living is a form of housing that combines private living space with shared communal facilities and is designed to encourage communal interaction and build community. At The Studios24, rent includes energy bills, cleaning, council tax, superfast broadband, access to a café and bar, and a range of social events for residents and guests.
