The Project

Square Gardens, situated in the vibrant First Street district of Manchester city centre, represents a landmark development designed to cater to the needs of modern students seeking high-quality, urban living. Spanning 830,000 sq ft, this student accommodation project features Acer Tower, which houses 1,187 beds across 716 units. These include a variety of living arrangements, such as shared en-suite apartments, studios, and one-bedroom apartments.

Square Gardens sets itself apart by offering not only a wide array of private living spaces but also exceptional social and communal amenities. These include a fully equipped gym, wellness centre, co-working spaces, a cinema room, and a private dining area. The development is designed to foster a sense of community, with extensive open spaces where residents can relax and connect, while also benefiting from the convenience of city centre living.

Downing, the client, sought to incorporate a range of functional and stylish design features, while also addressing the practical needs of the building’s residents, particularly in relation to mail management.

The Challenge

With a high volume of students traditional key-based systems were not viable given the scale of the project and the high turnover of residents, which could lead to potential delays, misplacements, or security risks. The sheer volume of deliveries, ranging from personal parcels to important documents, made it critical for Downing to choose a mail management system that could accommodate the needs of both the residents and the building staff.

Moreover, the design vision for Square Gardens was a modern, cohesive aesthetic, which meant that any mailbox system had to integrate seamlessly into the building’s overall look. The solution needed to be durable, secure, and adaptable to the diverse requirements of a student accommodation project, ensuring it could handle high footfall while maintaining ease of use.

Our Solution

To address these challenges, The Safety Letterbox Company provided a bespoke mailbox solution tailored specifically to the needs of Square Gardens. A total of 729 bespoke steel 2 mailboxes were designed and installed throughout the development. These were not only secure and practical but also designed to complement the sophisticated aesthetic of Square Gardens.

Design and Functionality:

The mailboxes were wall-recessed into bespoke timber frames, ensuring the units were discreetly integrated into the building’s overall design without compromising on functionality. The choice of wall-recessed installation meant that the mailboxes were neatly aligned within the walls of the building, maintaining a sleek, minimalistic appearance.
The mailboxes were finished in a Pearl Beige Matt RAL 1035 colour, which matched the overall neutral and contemporary tones of the building’s interior. This attention to detail ensured the mailboxes were in harmony with the design vision of Square Gardens, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the development

Security and Access Control:

The incorporation of inward sprung flaps on each mailbox ensured that residents’ mail was protected from theft or tampering, even in high-traffic areas.
Keyless access was a major consideration due to the high volume of residents and deliveries. To streamline access and eliminate the need for physical keys, the mailboxes were equipped with RFID Digi Locks. This keyless system provided residents with a modern and secure way to access their mail, reducing the risk of lost keys and ensuring that only authorised individuals could open their assigned mailboxes.

Training and Support:

To ensure the system was fully understood and easily operated, The Safety Letterbox Company provided on-site training for Downing’s building management team. The training focused on how to programme the RFID Digi Locks, enabling staff to efficiently manage access and maintain the system. This collaboration ensured a smooth integration process, empowering the management team to confidently handle the system and address any operational needs that arose.

The Benefit

The successful completion of the Square Gardens project provides numerous advantages for both the client, Downing, and the residents. The following benefits highlight the value brought to the project:

For the Client

Operational Efficiency: The introduction of RFID Digi Locks significantly reduced the workload for building management, as residents could independently access their mail without the need for staff intervention. The system’s keyless nature eliminated the need for physical key management, minimising the risk of lost or duplicated keys and improving overall operational efficiency.
Enhanced Security: With inward sprung flaps and RFID access, the mailboxes provided a secure, tamper-proof solution that safeguarded residents’ mail and parcels from theft or misplacement.
Aesthetic Integration: The bespoke mailbox design, combined with the wall-recessed installation within timber frames, aligned perfectly with the design of the building, maintaining the development’s high aesthetic standards.

For the Residents

Convenience: Residents benefit from a convenient and efficient mail delivery system, as they could easily access their mail and parcels, eliminating the need to deal with physical keys or manual retrieval methods.
Peace of Mind: The secure, keyless mailbox system gave residents peace of mind knowing that their mail and parcels are safe. With the RFID Digi Locks providing enhanced access control, residents could trust that only they would have access to their assigned mailboxes.
Quality and Durability: The steel construction of the mailboxes ensured they were durable and built to withstand the rigors of daily use. The high-quality finish also ensured that the mailboxes maintained their aesthetic appeal over time, even with regular handling.

The bespoke mailbox solution provided by The Safety Letterbox Company at Square Gardens demonstrates how thoughtful design and innovative technology can address the unique needs of large-scale student accommodation projects. By offering a secure, efficient, and aesthetically integrated solution, Square Gardens has been equipped with a modern mail management system that enhances both the residents’ experience and the operational efficiency for the client, Downing. This project exemplifies The Safety Letterbox Company’s ability to deliver tailored solutions that meet the complex demands of contemporary urban living.

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