Graham to deliver £113m accommodation project for University of York

UK construction firm Graham is delivering a £113 million accommodation project as part of University of York’s campus masterplan, which involves a series of expansion and renewal initiatives to improve the campus experience. 

Dubbed Campus for the Future, central to the masterplan is preserving the university’s heritage and ‘Yorkness’, with every project underpinned by the institution’s principle to create excellent and inclusive teaching, learning and living spaces for everyone. 

The residential project by Graham will be guided by this.

The 1,480-bed project represents the first phase of the residential expansion of the Heslington East Campus, which will see the development of high-specification student living and communal space.

The second phase will see the delivery of a further 800 beds.

Graham is the main contractor for this project as well as an investor in a consortium with Equitix, a fund manager of core infrastructure assets. 

Designed by Sheppard Robson, the residential project will involve state-of-the-art sustainable construction practices to deliver a high-quality living space for students that will reduce the reliance on city centre accommodation and housing. 

Committed to delivering extensive sustainable development, Graham will also do its part in supporting the local community by using an offsite manufacturing facility located in the North of England. 

Construction elements of the project include pre-fabricated sandwich panels, integrating external brick finish, insulation, windows, first fix services and finished internal walls. 

As part of the university’s campus masterplan, the scheme will stimulate university recruitment strategies while meeting the accommodation demands for the expanding global student body. 

“We are committed to providing outstanding student accommodation and the 1400 units delivered across the first phase of this project will bring our total output in the sector to more than 10,000 in the past five years,” said Graham Group Executive Chairman Michael Graham in a media statement. 

“We look forward to developing this fantastic scheme and the positive impact it will have on the local community, creating opportunities for work and engagement with local businesses as we construct a high-class development that reflects York’s strong heritage.”

The new student residential facility is expected to be completed in time for the 2022 academic year.