Uliving appointed preferred bidder of University of Hertfordshire’s 3,000 Bed Student Accommodation Scheme
A milestone has been reached in the University of Hertfordshire’s student accommodation scheme with the appointment of Uliving as the preferred development partner to deliver 3,000 residential student dwellings on campus at the University. The Uliving Consortium is made up of major developer Bouygues Development and not-for-profit accommodation operator, Derwent Living.
The University of Hertfordshire’s appointment of a private partner to redevelop on-campus student accommodation will see the transfer of 502 of the University’s existing residences and the delivery of a further 2,511 new build units at the University’s College Lane campus in Hatfield. The scheme will also provide new sports pitches, a campus gym, informal learning and social spaces and a new dedicated bus route. The University’s vision is to create a fully inclusive living and learning environment which will significantly enhance the students’ lives whilst at university.
The scheme will be delivered in three phases with the first phase set to commence in May 2013 and complete in September 2014. Each phase thereafter will be completed in time for the start of the following academic year with the entire scheme scheduled for completion in September 2016. Works will run alongside the existing accommodation units, which will be operated by Uliving, from May 2013 and be in full operation throughout the construction phase of the scheme.
The University of Hertfordshire’s Student Accommodation Scheme is set to be a market leader in sustainability representing an exciting first in its sector. The new buildings will achieve ‘True’ Zero Carbon accreditation and meet BREEAM Outstanding status.
Andrew May, Director of Estates, Hospitality and Contract Services at the University of Hertfordshire said:
“This project is a significant strategic development for the University. It is not only about investing in the learning and living environments of our staff and students but the financial benefits from this asset will also allow us to further develop core academic services in the future.”
Stephane Slama-Royer, Managing Director of Uliving and Managing Director of Bouygues Development said:
“This is a remarkable achievement for Uliving and we are really proud to be a part of such a transformational scheme. As student accommodation developers and managers we recognise that the quality of student accommodation has a huge influence on the student experience and that the provision of exceptional living environments is central to the success of these communities. “
Martin Corbett, Director of Residential Services of Uliving and Managing Director of Derwent FM said:
“We are delighted that Uliving has been selected as preferred bidder. We have an excellent track record in listening and providing what students want and delivering exceptional standards of service to our student communities across the country. We look forward to working with the University of Hertfordshire and the Student Union to deliver an exceptional student experience as part of this long term partnership.”
Conal Newland, Director of Student Housing and Higher Education at Jones Lang LaSalle commented:
“We are delighted that such a significant project with a bold approach to sustainability and the student experience has proven to be so attractive to consortia even in the current funding market and has attracted bids of the highest quality, led by the bid from Uliving”.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Julie Cooper, University of Hertfordshire Press Office on 01707 284095, Email: j.cooper5@herts.ac.uk
Other contacts
For further information about Uliving, Bouygues Development or Bouygues UK, please contact Head of External Communications Sara Champness on 020 7401 0035 or sara.champness@bouygues-uk.com or External Communications Officer Justine Williams on 020 78033769 / justine.williams@bouygues-uk.com.
For further information about Derwent Living please contact Steve Atkin at Derwent Living on tel: 01332 346477 or Charlotte Anscombe or Liz Cartwright at Cartwright Communications on tel: 0115 8532110 or mobile: 07769 713919.
For further information about Derwent FM, please contact Elaine Lines at Go Publicity on tel: 0113 388 0008 or mobile: 07971 130343 or email: elaine@gopublicty.com or Mandy Blackburn at Derwent FM on tel: 01423 855952 or email: mandy.blackburn@derwentfm.eu.
Notes to Editor
About the University of Hertfordshire
The University is the UK’s leading business-facing university and an exemplar in the sector. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel. The University of Hertfordshire is one of the region’s largest employers with over 2,300 staff and a turnover of almost £231 million.
With a student community of over 27,700 including more than 2,900 international students from over eighty-five different countries, the University has a global network of over 170,000 alumni.
The University of Hertfordshire was awarded ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2010’ by the Times Higher Education (THE) and ranks in the top 4% of all universities in the world according to the recent THE, World University Rankings. For more information, please visit www.herts.ac.uk Did you know….?Find out more at go.herts.ac.uk/didyouknow 10% of all known planets were discovered by University of Hertfordshire astronomers - We are pioneering
About Uliving
Uliving is a joint venture between Bouygues Development and Derwent Living which aims to develop on-campus student accommodation through design, build, finance and operate contracts with British Universities. Uliving’s partners are already managing a portfolio of 10,000 units and are focused on enhancing the student experience and generating value for the Universities they work with.
About Bouygues Development
Bouygues Development is an experienced developer which operates in the student accommodation sector as well as in a number of other market sectors in the UK including residential, commercial, mixed use developments, and regeneration schemes. Bouygues Development is part of Bouygues Construction – a world-leading construction and services group turning over £28bn. Generating value through creativity and delivery, Bouygues Development enables environments and communities to thrive.
About Bouygues UK
Bouygues UK delivers innovative and sustainable construction across a wide range of sectors. Our biggest strength is our commitment to intelligent management throughout the entire life-cycle of each project –your guarantee of efficiency and excellence. Our commitment to sustainable design and our passion for innovation is well recognised, and we are proud that our project teams consistently receive awards for ethical and considerate construction practices.
About Derwent Living
Derwent Living Is a not-for-profit organisation providing affordable living to suit a range of lifestyles. Formed in 1964, Derwent Living works with customers to build thriving communities where people want to live. Derwent Living manages more than 15,000 properties in the Midlands, South Yorkshire and the South East. Derwent Living’s property portfolio includes:
Affordable housing
Homes to rent for people on lower incomes
Student living
Large-scale student accommodation in Nottingham, Sheffield, Coventry, Derby, London, Loughborough and Birmingham
Easy Living homes to rent or buy
Apartments for rent in or close to the city
Apartments and houses available for Try Before You Buy
Apartments and houses for outright sale or for sale through our part-buy, part-rent scheme
Retirement living
Homes to rent and to buy for the over 55
Specialist housing
Including accommodation for NHS staff and special need schemes for frail elderly people, Asian elders and vulnerable women with children.
About Derwent FM
Derwent FM provides a full range of accommodation management, facilities management and life cycle services.
As well as the student accommodation and university markets, it covers the residential, health, education and commercial sectors, plus the local and central government spheres.
Derwent FM is part of Derby-based housing provider Derwent Living. Derwent Living re-invests 75 per cent of its profits from facilities management activity into developing new properties and maintaining its existing housing stock. www.derwentfm.eu
Tags: