Breaking new ground for student living

The latest landmark in the University of Hull’s multimillion-pound campus upgrade programme is reached today, Tuesday 12 May, as work officially starts on a state-of-the-art accommodation development designed to give students the best possible living experience.

Professor Calie Pistorius, Vice-Chancellor of the University, and Dr Paul Sewell, Managing Director of Hull-based, principal project contractors the Sewell Group, will perform a ground-breaking ceremony on the site at the northern end of campus, off Inglemire Lane.

Designed in partnership with GSS Architecture, the development will provide high-quality accommodation for 560 students: mainly comprising eight-bedroom flats alongside a smaller number of four-bedroom flats, deluxe flats, studio flats and wheelchair-accessible flats, plus communal social and learning spaces. It will boast contemporary architecture alongside the latest technology and be set in landscaped grounds. It is anticipated that the new build’s first student tenants will take up residence in 2016.

Professor Pistorius said:  “Improving the campus – including the provision of more accommodation – is pivotal to the University’s future. In order to be competitive in higher education and be well placed to attract quality students and staff from the UK and around the world, we must ensure that the estate meets our academic and business needs.

“Students are at the heart of everything we do here at the University and this new accommodation demonstrates our commitment to providing an outstanding student experience.”

Paul Sewell, Managing Director of Sewell Group said: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to be carrying out such a significant and prestigious project for our own University, in our own city. The benefit of the completed project to the University will match the benefit to the local economy.”

The project represents the latest investment in the University’s campus master plan, following the £28 million refurbishment of the Brynmor Jones Library, completed last year, and the current redevelopment of the Middleton Hall theatre and conference space. There has also been extensive work on improving teaching spaces right across the University.