McAleer & Rushe has announced two major student housing schemes delivering 1280 rooms for central Belfast.

Planning applications have been submitted to develop the major student accommodation scheme that will pave the way for new construction jobs and boost the building trades.

Stephen Surphlis Property Director of McAleer & Rushe said: “These are large scale development and investment projects which underpin our confidence in Belfast and particularly the student accommodation sector where we already have a significant presence.

“The development of 1280 rooms in the City Centre will help to address the current shortage of purpose built student accommodation which is significantly below the UK average.

“We are planning to commence construction this Autumn with the developments being completed for the in-take of students in summer 2017”.

McAleer & Rushe has become a dominant player in this sector on the UK mainland and has been working with the leading operators in student housing provision including Unite Students and Knightsbridge Student Housing.

The Company is on target to deliver more than 7000 student rooms by the Summer of 2018, with an estimated value in excess of £400 million.

McAleer & Rushe are currently on site constructing a 759-room student housing scheme for Unite in Stratford, London which is due to complete this summer, together with a 356-room scheme for Knightsbridge Student Housing in Southampton, which is due to complete in 2016.