UK: Unite Students has started refurbishment work on Rushford Court in partnership with the University of Durham
Rushford Court is a 358-room student property that will house students from the University’s College of St Hild and St Bede from September during the redevelopment of the University’s Leazes Road site.
Unite Students, the biggest provider of student housing in the UK, is currently enhancing and expanding the property.
Rushford Court dates back to 1853 when it was known as County Hospital. It was repurposed as student housing by Unite Students in 2018. Previously, it provided temporary housing for the university’s John Snow College during the 2019/20 academic year.
A new building will be built into the site’s existing sloped ground. Improvements include a new two-story facility building that will house a junior common room with a café, bar, social space, reception, and study area.
The Harding Building will be updated to accommodate college staff offices, study spaces, and welfare facilities. The historic entrance will also be rebuilt, and the current reception building will be transformed into a gym and yoga area.
Unite Students will look to create sustainable accommodation. The building’s committee have promoted the new sites’ biodiversity and carbon reduction, which exceed the necessary requirements. According to the committee, the plans will reduce the risk of losing space to houses of multiple occupations (HMOs).
“This exciting development will enable the university to provide a home to our much-loved Hild Bede College while we redevelop their historic home. Following this, it is intended for Rushford Court to become our newest college, creating a thriving community of students at all levels of study, from all subject areas,” said Jeremy Cook, pro-vice chancellor at Durham University.
“This is an exciting step forward as it allows us to strengthen our ongoing partnership with Durham University. I look forward to seeing the scheme progress over the next year and ultimately students and college staff enjoying the use of the building for many years to come,” added Richard Smith, chief executive of Unite Students.
