Student Village to Provide Expanded Spaces for University of London Growing Student Population

Royal Holloway, University of London, has appointed Balfour Beatty as preferred bidder for the development of a student village in Egham, Surrey (England).

In partnership with Royal Holloway under a 50-year concession contract, Balfour Beatty will design, build, finance and operate, alongside Student Living by Sodexo, a new 1,400-room student village at Rusham Park. In addition, the company will operate the existing 621-bed George Eliot student accommodation complex in London.

Bringing together expertise from across the group, the company’s UK Construction Services business will be responsible for the construction of the new student village. As part of the c.£130-million Design-Build phase, Balfour Beatty will deploy construction methods such as the offsite manufacturing of the external walls, floors and bathroom pods, to improve health and safety and reduce the overall project duration.

To support the team in achieving its ambitious net-zero carbon targets, energy-efficient systems, such as air source heat pump technology, will be deployed throughout the build.

On completion, the project will form a critical part of the university’s plan to provide affordable but high-quality living, social and amenity spaces for its growing student population.

With financial close anticipated in early 2022, construction is due to commence shortly thereafter with completion scheduled ahead of the 2024/25 academic year.