Vita Living, Circle Square, Manchester

Client: Vita Group

The Brief

Situated on the former BBC Site on Oxford Road,
Manchester, Circle Square, Vita Living is a Build to Rent
development comprising of 683 luxury apartments above
two blocks of amenity and retail space.

Designed to encourage social interaction, the extensive
amenities provide residents with access to bookable
private dining rooms, roof-top gardens, leisure studios,
chill-out lounges, co-working suites and gym facilities,
all managed by Vita Living. 

Having previously delivered several successful schemes
for the Vita Group, a global developer of
market-leading property investment brands, Hurst
was commissioned by main contractor John Sisk to
provide various specialist joinery elements required
for numerous communal spaces throughout the
development.

The Solution

Involving over 2,000 setting out hours, the project was
delivered in two phases and in the most challenging of
times.

With careful consideration given to the Vita Living brand,
Hurst’s team of 5 draughtsmen worked closely with
Vita and Koncept Interior Design to carefully create all of
the bespoke elements crucial to the design of the highly
distinctive and contemporary interiors.

Themed private dining areas, with quality built-in
kitchens with marble and Corian workspaces were
manufactured and installed, in addition to furniture for
the large open-plan reception, study and entertainment
areas. These included reception desks, wall paneling,
large feature planters, comfortable banquet seating,
entertainment centers, tea points, W/C Vanity units in
addition to bespoke decorative ceiling rafts.

 

Project Challenges

  • With the initial order for the first phase of the project received in March 2020, the project team had to negotiate the restrictions of the first full lockdown. Quick to adapt, Covid secure practices were adopted, and Hurst continued to manufacture safely.
  • The restrictions meant that the setting out drawings were delivered through online approval workshops. M&E workshops were also held virtually to ensure all services integrated smoothly.
  • Although hampered by raw material shortages and the availability of white goods, the installation was delivered efficiently and on time, to the high standards expected by the client.

The Result

Offering more than simply a place to reside, Hurst successfully helped Vita achieve the beautiful spaces it envisaged as well as a new vision for sociable and inclusive community living within Manchester City centre.

 

The Customer Perspective

“Hurst has worked with us during what was a very challenging delivery environment over the last 18 months. By adopting a collaborative
approach, the project momentum was maintained, and we are extremely happy with the final product across both Vita Living buildings at Circle Square. We hope to continue this successful working relationship on future projects.”

Tristan Herbert, Development Director, Vita Group