Spotted the building work going on at our Houghall campus recently? It's all finished now, and we're delighted to say that the new accommodation block at our Houghall campus is officially open!
Made for students at Durham University, the new, state-of-the-art accommodation block was built by construction firm Robertson over the last few months. The project also saw Robertson redevelop the Houghall campuses' Weardale Building, which was first built in 1938.
The new block offers 198 en-suite bedrooms across three stories, as well as a further 24 studio bedrooms in the revamped Weardale Building. Although it is found on the college's grounds, the building will be owned and managed by accommodation provider Unite.
We've had a snoop round the show flat of the building and can confirm that the new accommodation is absolutely fantastic - the students who will get to live at Houghall will definitely be living the life of student luxury. Of course, they'll also have the stunning surroundings of Houghall, complete with its vast woodland areas and easy access to Durham City Centre, to enjoy too!
The revamp and build of the new block is part of East Durham College's plan to redevelop the Houghall campus over the next few years. Already the college has invested several million pounds into the redevelopment of Houghall, opening new, state-of-the-art Animal Care, Agriculture and Equine centres in early 2017. The college also revamped Houghall's iconic entrance building with a new atrium, modernised classrooms and additional facilities.
Robertson’s regional managing director, Garry Hope, said: “We’re delighted to have delivered a building that will greatly benefit students studying in and around Durham. “Robertson has worked extremely hard to ensure that the accommodation has been completed to the highest standards and we hope the new facilities will provide an environment where students can relax, allowing them to focus on their studies and make the most of student life.”
Jansons Property, construction consultant at Paul Nash, said the firm is “delighted” to have completed its first student accommodation scheme in Durham, adding: “We were aware of Robertson’s track record and experience in this sector but it was their approach to delivery that set them apart on this project”.
