New accommodation welcomes returning students
The University of St Andrews has opened a new extension to its student residences at David Russell Apartments/Fife Park, providing an additional 252 rooms for incoming undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The first phase of the redevelopment of Fife Park was completed earlier this month – on time and under budget – and comprises four new accommodation blocks representing an investment of approximately £12 million.
In the first instance, the new blocks will be named after former St Andrews Rectors – Ruskin, Balfour, Marconi and Nansen.
As part of the University’s 600th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign however, donors will have the opportunity to contribute to the project – and if an appropriate level of funds are raised the blocks may be renamed after individual donors.
A group of St Andrews Rectors will be asked to participate in the official opening scheduled tentatively for the Spring of 2011.
The completion of the new blocks is expected to significantly lessen pressure on the private accommodation market in central St Andrews.
It represents the first phase of a project which will provide over 500 additional student bed spaces in town. In later phases, it is planned to demolish Fife Park residence and replace it with further modern, fit-for-purpose student accommodation.
The first students to live in the new accommodation blocks moved in this week and the residences are already fully occupied.
University Proctor Professor Peter Clark said:
“I am delighted that we have been able to complete the first phase of this project and make this high quality accommodation available to our incoming students.
“We have been extremely busy over the summer and it is a testament to the contractor Sir Robert Macalpine and to the combined efforts of our Residential and Business Services and our Estates departments that this project was completed on time and under budget.
“The addition of 250 university-owned and managed beds to our facilities will we believe significantly alleviate the well-documented pressure on the private housing stock elsewhere in St Andrews.
“We are extremely grateful to all our neighbours in the Buchanan and Hepburn Gardens area who have been very tolerant and supportive during the planning and construction phases. We will continue to consult closely with them during future phases of this development.”
In total, the university’s Residential and Business Services directorate now provides 4,074 owned or directly-managed beds, catering for a student population of 7,400. It provides proportionately more accommodation for students than any other university in Scotland.
ENDS
Issued by the University of St Andrews
Contact : Niall Scott, tel 01334 462244, mobile 07711 223062
Category Student experience