Summer refurbishments kick off major programme of student residences development
25 Sep 2023
Work commenced at the end of the 2022/23 year as part of plans to redevelop our residential estate
Over £14m has been invested by our University in the complete refurbishment of 106 rooms in the Ewings and Graham Wings of Dalton-Ellis House (Victoria Park Campus) in time for reopening during the weekend of 16 and 17 September. This work has been carried out as part of plans to achieve our zero carbon 2038 target, as set out in our Environmental Sustainability Strategy.
Improvements to Fallowfield Campus have also been completed in time for the arrival of students for the new semester.
Fallowfield Campus Reception has been relocated from Owens Park to the Richmond Park Amenity Hub. It features a reception counter and a multi-function breakout, social and student study space and is fully compliant with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements. The new reception serves as the operational hub for the Campus and is home to a team of dedicated staff responsible for providing a supportive residential experience for all 3,500 students living there.
A further refurbishment programme has been completed at Oak House Hall of Residence, which provides some of the most affordable accommodation in the city for 1,200 students. The work to communal areas and bathrooms includes new flooring, redecoration, a mixture of partial and full kitchen replacements, and new blinds and furnishings in living spaces. Improvements to communal spaces in the Carill House block have created more study space and dual use areas.
£4 million has been invested by our University on these challenging projects, which were delivered by Estates and Facilities staff working with external contractors to make sure all work was completed on time. Work was carried out alongside our normal programme of cleaning and maintenance across all halls of residence, which takes place every summer and throughout the year.
Unfortunately, during the weekend of 16 and 17 September, the Owens Park area suffered criminal damage due to multiple instances of graffiti supporting a student campaign. Cleaning and residences staff are taking steps to remove the graffiti and we are seeking to identify those responsible. This has diverted funding that could otherwise have been used for further maintenance.
Meanwhile, enabling works, ahead of a full demolition, have begun so that the Owens Park site is ready for future development, with hoardings put in place over the summer. The procurement exercise to identify a development partner for the Fallowfield Campus redevelopment is well underway and we will keep you updated on progress.