Northern Irish contractor McAleer & Rushe has reached a significant construction milestone with the topping out of a 21-storey student accommodation scheme in the City of London, according to Insider Media.

The Cookstown-based design and build contractor is working in partnership with real estate developer Dominus on the 65 Crutched Friars development.

The topping out ceremony on 10 February brought together key project stakeholders to celebrate the structural completion, marking an important step in delivering a landmark student living scheme. The development will provide 782 purpose-built student residences, complemented by extensive social, study, and wellbeing spaces including private dining rooms, gym and wellness facilities, television lounges, shared entertainment areas, and a roof terrace offering panoramic views across London.

The scheme will create the first permanent home for the Migration Museum, providing a free-to-enter, purpose-built cultural space secured through a 60-year lease supporting the museum's long-term future in the City.

Mark McCormick, contracts director at McAleer & Rushe, said: "We're delighted to celebrate the topping out at 65 Crutched Friars alongside our long-standing client, Dominus, marking another key milestone in the delivery of this landmark student living and cultural destination. The transformation of this highly complex City of London development is a testament to the skill, innovation and collaboration of our site team, supply chain partners and wider project teams."

Zoe Huang, senior development manager at Dominus, described topping out as "a major milestone and a proud moment for everyone involved in bringing this scheme forward."

The development targets a BREEAM Outstanding rating, with energy-efficient systems including solar panels and air source heat pumps. Construction progresses towards practical completion in 2027.

Review the full project details through reading the original article.