Work on Bishop Gate student accommodation is underway
Thursday 27 October 2016
Press contact
Work is underway on an initial phase of the new multimillion pound Bishop Gate student accommodation scheme, which is being developed by Coventry University and Barberry Developments.
The site of the former Royal Mail sorting office is being transformed into three accommodation blocks for over 700 students as part of a £60m project, with an option for a second phase – two further blocks – being reviewed.
Two shop units facing out onto Tower Street will be accessible to the public as part of a wider ground floor complex encompassing social spaces and support services for students.
It is anticipated that work will be completed by August 2018, ready for new students starting at the University in September 2018 to move in.
A public consultation on the project took place in October last year to seek views and feedback on the plans from residents of the city.
Rob Talliss, director of estate development at Coventry University, said:
The public consultation last year was a useful exercise giving us an opportunity to take onboard much of the feedback we received from the people of Coventry. That resulted in some minor changes to the plans – namely some design tweaks to soften the impact of the buildings on the skyline.”
“It’s great to finally kick start work on the site, and it won’t be long before we start to see the new complex taking shape in a part of the city that will really benefit from this kind of investment. We very much look forward to welcoming our new students to this new accommodation in 2018.”
For further press information please contact Hannah Smith, press officer, Coventry University, on 02477658352 or email hannah.smith@coventry.ac.uk.
