The canalside site at Boulevard Wharf is only 11 metres wide.

The contractor’s emergency procedures include a kayak to catch anyone who falls in the water.

And the tight boundaries have made careful site planning vital to build 76 apartments.

Shaun Moses, site manager for Stepnell, said: “It is certainly one of the more unusual sites we’ve worked on.

“Along with the obvious issues that come with building so close to the canal edge brings, the overall site is just 11 metres wide, meaning that day-to-day operations must be very carefully managed.

“With incredibly tight boundaries and the buildings themselves designed to fill the entirety of its footprint, the site is a real challenge, but the team has worked closely with the developers from an early stage to create a solution that is workable and allows the whole operation to run smoothly.”

Tom Sewell, East Midlands’ regional director at Stepnell, said: “The story of this site is really one of collaboration.

“Our team worked extensively with the client through the design development process in order to design and manage a project that met a high standard in terms of appearance and finishes – all while working to the budget and the challenges the site provides.”

The project sees the studios spread across three buildings designed by MAS Architecture.