Developer attracts two universities to landmark City Village scheme

Developer Downing has signed agreements with the University of Warwick and Coventry University for 457 student bedrooms at its landmark City Village development in Coventry.

The arrangement will see the University of Warwick secure 305 rooms and Coventry University 152 rooms to accommodate their respective students when the development opens in time for the academic year in September.

Downing’s mixed-used scheme at Belgrade Plaza is helping to revitalise Coventry city centre. The landmark student accommodation development, which rises from three to twenty storeys, is one of the tallest buildings in the city and features 597 bedrooms. All bedrooms are now let.

The City Village development also features 5,600 sq ft of ground floor retail and leisure space, in the heart of Belgrade Plaza.

Ann Lodge, joint chief executive at Downing, said: “With student accommodation at an absolute premium in Coventry, the city’s leading universities have taken steps to ensure their students are in prime position to be able to benefit from the outstanding student accommodation that Downing is due to deliver in September.

“We’re delighted to have signed these agreements and are looking forward to welcoming the city’s students to this landmark development which will offer them high-quality accommodation in the heart of the city centre, within easy reach of key transport hubs, the universities, and the city’s retail and leisure offering.”