Developer and Coventry University sign deal for £54m student scheme
COVENTRY University and Barberry Developments have exchanged contracts on a deal that will see the development of accommodation for at least 850 students on a city centre site.
Work on the new £54m Bishop Gate scheme will start next month with the demolition of the former Royal Mail sorting office and, subject to planning, construction will start next summer with the first rooms available from the beginning of the 2018/19 academic year.
The accommodation will include a range of room options with en-suite facilities, communal areas, seminar rooms, TV/games room, study rooms and a launderette.
The ground floor will provide retail and leisure units.
Barberry Developments director Henry Bellfield said: “We acquired the former sorting office in 2011 in what was undoubtedly a difficult development market and since then we had looked at a number of options so we are delighted to have persevered with the site and struck this deal with Coventry University.
“The university is making a major investment in the student experience by providing market-leading halls of residence; higher education is an extremely competitive marketplace where universities are competing for the best students.
“Coventry is currently experiencing something of a renaissance with a number of transformational developments in the city such as the Friargate scheme. We are confident that Bishop Gate will be a welcome addition to this exciting period in the city’s history and breathe new life into what has previously been a neglected part of the city centre.”
Rob Talliss, director of estate development at Coventry University, said: “Our plans to work with Barberry Developments to transform the Bishop Gate site mark the latest in a number of exciting developments by the university which are contributing to a fresh new look and vitality in key parts of the city.
“The continued improvement in our accommodation provision in Coventry is crucial as the university’s success moves it up the national rankings and attracts more students from all over the world who will contribute to the city’s and the region’s economy.”
Belbroughton-based Barberry originally proposed a retail scheme on the Bishop Gate site but the lack of interest from a supermarket chain forced it to re-consider its plans.
