The works included the conversion and extension of existing dilapidated factory building and the construction of two new build five storey blocks. 34 residential cluster flats were created, offering an additional 173 bedrooms for students from the University of Leicester and De Montfort University, along with necessary ancillary/ communal space and landscaped gardens.

The original factory building appears on the list of Buildings of Local interest, which the City Council was keen to protect. The flats are arranged to minimise the impact on the internal structure and external appearance of the buildings and therefore vary to fit within the existing plan depth and window configuration. A late addition extension of the original factory was also demolished, in order to bring the design back to the original industrial style.

Site constraints, including restricted access, proved a key challenge in ensuring that the tight construction programme of 37 weeks was achieved. The Stace project team worked to deliver the scheme on time, allowing new students to move into the accommodation in time for the new school year.

This project was shortlisted as a finalist in the AJ Retrofit Awards 2015.