Interserve has handed over the Mount Oswald student accommodation facility for Durham University including the new South College
The Mount Oswald site includes a new home for John Snow College and the new South College, ready to welcome students from September 2020.
The two colleges offer purpose-built, self-catering accommodation for 1,000 students.
Each college has a unique look and feel with their own common rooms, support offices and café bar.
The Mount Oswald site also has a University Hub with a large events hall with capacity to seat 300 people, a gym, music practice rooms, a launderette, a faith and quiet room, a dance studio, a performance practice space and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).
The accommodation is provided in a cluster of flats and townhouses, with the townhouses delivered through traditional construction methods and the flats constructed using an innovative offsite system.
Enhancing student experience
Mark Gardham, director, Interserve, said: “We are delighted to have successfully handed over this new facility to Durham University after more than two years onsite.
“During the construction, we also hosted site visits for local students from Durham University and New College Durham and created six new apprenticeships directly with Interserve Construction and four within the supply chain.
“Interserve Construction has a strong track record in the further education sector across Yorkshire and the North-East, having demonstrated our capabilities in delivering projects supporting education, innovation and research over many years.”
Jeremy Cook, pro-vice-chancellor at Durham University, added: “We are delighted to be moving into the completed Mount Oswald development ready for the 2020/21 academic year.
“The project demonstrates our commitment to enhancing the student experience on offer here at Durham and its completion marks a key milestone in the delivery of our university strategy to be world-leading across research, education and the wider student experience.”
