Sign up for York centre student halls

Thirty weeks into the £12 million project to deliver 258 new student bedrooms for York St John University, all the signs are good.

York-based developers S Harrison and main contractor Miller Construction report that work is well underway at the Carmelite St development, adjacent to Hungate, with between 50 and 60 workers on site at any one time, to deliver the new accommodation for the next student intake in October.

Says Richard Smith, project manager for S Harrison: “This number will increase to around 100 each day once the main structure is complete and the finishing trades are working throughout the building in the early summer.”

Structure for six of the eight storeys is now in place and a large banner suspended from the scaffolding gives a picture of how the completed development will look.

The high quality city-centre located accommodation is playing a key part in the expanding York St John University’s growth strategy.

The new student halls scheme is the fourth contract awarded by the York-based developer to Miller Construction, three of them within the city walls. The two companies recently completed the £32 million City of York HQ at West Offices and a new Hampton by Hilton hotel on Toft Green.

As well as creating much-needed construction jobs, the new halls on Carmelite Street will free up more traditional homes for rent by local York families in line with the council’s new policy.

Says Professor David Fleming, vice chancellor of York St John University: “Demand to study at York St John University is continuing to rise.  We’ve invested a lot in the quality of our teaching and the campus environment. This latest student residential development is a part of the investment programme to ensure that future students enjoy the very best experience by choosing our university.”

S Harrison’s two previous student developments in Walmgate have been heralded a great success with York St John University students integrating into the local community and providing an economic boost for local traders. Like the halls in Walmgate, the new accommodation on Carmelite Street will be car-free with students living within easy walking distance of all the city’s amenities. For its sustainability and energy usage it is set to achieve a BREEAM “very good” rating.