- Location:
- Leicester
- Services:
- Client:
- Bouygues UK / ULiving
- Sector:
- Residential - Student
The scheme provides up to 1200 student beds, reception, social and ancillary facilities, plus a new 550 space multi-storey car park and a high quality public realm.
The residential accommodation is a blend of cluster, studio and 1 bed apartments, including a mix of standard, premium and shared ensuite rooms. These are provided in eight residential buildings which cascade in height from 16 to 5 storeys.
The project integrates with the existing Nixon Court accommodation, creating strong, landscaped, pedestrian routes linking through the sites and to the wider University campus. A formal, central square provides a focal heart and external events space. It is framed by the shared facilities and proposed Teaching and Learning Centre. This contrasts with the informal landscaping approach characterising the residential areas.
The Listed Freemen’s Cottages on the site are restored and extended with a single storey pavilion to form cafe, cinema, study and staff space. A second, matching pavilion across the central square provides student services, music, laundry, retail space plus a central energy centre.
The design allows for phasing of the development to maintain car parking for the University and early completion of certain elements. The scheme was developed to early stage 3, including pre-application discussions with the Local Planning Authority.