HOCHTIEF has been awarded the contract to design, build, finance and operate a student village for Staffordshire University in the UK. Scheduled for completion in 2026 the landmark project will see around 700 new student rooms built in cluster blocks and town houses alongside a village ‘hub’ facility to be used as a social space for students.

HOCHTIEF has formed a consortium with Staffordshire University and Plenary to deliver the project. The consortium, Staffordshire Campus Living, has appointed Willmott Dixon to construct the new Student Village and Pinnacle Facilities Management will support the operation of the new accommodation. Legal advice was provided by Osborne Clarke and financial advice by Evolution Infrastructure.

The project will also involve the refurbishment of a further 300 rooms in the University’s existing Clarice Cliff court to bring all en-suite accommodation up to the same high standard.

HOCHTIEF has developed a low energy and low carbon solution for the village, ensuring sustainability and carbon reduction remain at the heart of the design, build and operation.

Ian Prescott, Managing Director of HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to have been selected for this prestigious project and look forward to working with the University and consortium partners to realise the vision for the new student village.”

Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, said: “Providing an excellent student experience is a strategic priority and the Student Village is designed to respond to what students say they want. With the full backing of our Board of Governors, we are delighted to move closer towards making a start on this project which, alongside our academic course offering and exceptional support services, will help to make us stand out in the market. The new student accommodation will be linked to existing study, sports and leisure facilities on our main Leek Road site via a new pedestrian footbridge. Together with other exciting developments on the University’s doorstep like the Goods Yard and Station Road transformation improvements, we anticipate that the Student Village will be a great place for our students to live.”