NEW HALLS SET TO BRING NEW LIFE TO WALMGATE
“This latest addition of sustainable student accommodation is yet another stage in the development of the prestigious York St John University. We are emerging as a strong and internationally recognised civic university of the 21st century,” confirmed new Vice Chancellor Professor David Fleming when he visited Gray’s Wharf.
The 232 room seven storey Gray’s Wharf halls of residence are on schedule for completion this summer, ready for the intake of new students in September. S Harrison Developments Ltd, the York based company behind the new £12 million accommodation partnership scheme, say they are delighted with progress of construction delivered by main contractor Tolent.
Professor Fleming was joined on his tour of the new halls by York St John University’s director of facilities Colin Parkin and head of estate development Richard Hirst. Harrison’s Phil Hill showed the team around the halls which incorporate many sustainable energy-saving features.
The neighbouring scheme of 272 units, also provided by S Harrison and opened in 2008, was shortlisted for a national award recently.
Both schemes have been praised by the police and the Safer York Partnership for their design. The local community policing team have set up an office in the halls to serve the whole Walmgate ward.
Says Prof Fleming: “Students at our prestigious university make a huge contribution to the cultural and economic vibrancy of the city. For many years this site at Gray’s Wharf lay derelict. This excellent accommodation scheme is playing its part in the regeneration of the area. I’m delighted by the positive response we have received from our neighbours and businesses locally.
“York benefits so much from its student population and it is important we provide the right accommodation which works with the local environment. Both sites are car-free with students walking to the nearby main university campus so not adding to the city’s traffic volumes.”
Says Harrison’s Phil Hill: “The two developments provide an excellent example of urban regeneration with good architecture, considerate construction and bringing new life to the previously run-down sites. We’re looking forward to completing the development on budget and on time.”
Harrison is also one half of York Investors LLP, the team which hopes to win planning approval for it scheme to provide new council headquarters at West Offices and a new £10 million hotel on Toft Green.
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