Grimwade Street Ipswich Open Market Housing Architecture Portfolio

Student Housing

The new status of the campus in Ipswich will bring thousands more students into the town; UCS predicts growth from 3,500 students in 2007 to 7,000 students by 2014 - a phenomenal growth rate. The revenue and new life that these students will bring are bound to have a beneficial effect on the town and the decision by the faculty to look to the private sector to provide accommodation for the new influx has provided a new opportunity for local developers.

Amongst the first to recognise the significance of this new opportunity was our client Providus Student Accommodation Limited. Negotiation with the Estates Department of the new University Campus in Suffolk enabled a site near the waterfront owned by our clients to be exchanged for a site on the doorstep of the new Campus.

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Employer:

Providus Student Accommodation Ltd.

Project:

New development of 49 student bedrooms with ancillary facilities for the new University College Suffolk student intake autumn 2008.

Capital Value:

£1.7m

Contract:

Design & Build

Contractor:

Gipping Construction

Consultants:

Downey & Warren - Quantity Surveyors

We were delighted to have the opportunity to produce a building that is effectively the first of its kind in the town and to be seen to be setting a standard for others to follow. Each student bedroom will have an en-suite shower room with wash hand basin and w.c., will be completely fitted-out with whitewood furniture and will be serviced by a full range of IT.

The building itself is uncompromisingly modern and yet of a scale and form which is compatible with the neighbouring terrace of Listed buildings. UCS is very exacting in the space standards and communal facilities which are to be provided with the result that, although an intensive use of the site, the students will enjoy generous Kitchens/Common Rooms and relatively spacious bedrooms.