The new Friargate Court viewed from Friargate itself

Spades are being readied to put into the ground for the start of a major development project on Friargate.

Portergate Properties has appointed the Eric Wright Group to construct an £18 million block of student flats.

A 1.5 acre site on the corner where the road meets Great Shaw Street is to be transformed into a 253 bedroom complex.

View down Great Shaw Street showing the development

The accommodation is set to be “boutique hotel-style” according to the developers.

Two retail units are to be created on the ground floor of the building facing onto Friargate.

Anthony Jackson, chairman of Portergate Properties, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Eric Wright Construction to deliver our vision for Friargate.

“The appointment underlines our commitment to utilising the skills of local companies wherever possible during the construction work, helping to create and secure local jobs in the sector. That is very important to us as a North West company.

“This will be the biggest building project in Preston and the development will play a key role in our continued expansion plans in the North West.

“Once completed it will provide boutique hotel-style accommodation, not only for students but also for young key workers in the city, where we believe there is a real demand for this type of living space.

“Our aim throughout the project is to play a major role in transforming the fortunes of the Friargate area and our hope is that our development and commitment will encourage further investment.”

Inside the Friargate Court complex

Around 200 workers are set to be employed on the Friargate site.

John Wilson, managing director of Eric Wright Construction, said: “The fact we have been appointed to such a high-profile scheme in our home city is fantastic news.

“Portergate has done an amazing job in moving this development forward and we can’t wait to get started to turn their vision into reality.

“The development on Friargate is a great site and will be high quality, well-designed buildings that will play a big part in the regeneration of that quarter of the city.

“It is good to see the commitment to local firms being appointed to such a major development for the city, but we still had to be competitive and put in a compelling bid.

“It is also great to see people investing in Preston and its future.”

Another view from Great Shaw Street

Work was due to start on the development in late 2013 but had been delayed while Portergate searched for a construction firm.

The plans were approved in June 2013, with the firm saying they were looking to target postgraduate students with their accommodation quality and pricing.

What do you think of the Friargate Court plan? Are you a student studying in the city? Let us know in the comments below