We are currently in the process of developing phase two of our Blackfriars Residence in Gloucester, and earlier this week we were thrilled to have the chance to walk around the site with Hartpury University to see how things are coming along!
Located in the heart of Gloucester city centre, our Blackfriars Residence is bright and welcoming, providing a home from home for students of both Hartpury University and the University of Gloucestershire. Our existing accommodation offers 295 beds, and phase two will provide an additional 190 beds for Hartpury students moving to this wonderful city. These rooms are due to be ready for September 2022, and will consist mainly of our Standard Ensuite rooms in shared flats, with two accessible studios available too. Studio living offers slightly more privacy, with each one having its own kitchenette, but our Standard Ensuites have private bedrooms and bathrooms alongside a shared kitchen giving students a social aspect to their new living situation.
Our site tour at Blackfriars was conducted by Andy Moore, the senior project manager at Vitruvius who are overseeing the build. After a site safety induction from Andy, to ensure staff from both Cityheart Living and Hartpury University were aware of all the site safety rules and risks, we headed off to visit the two new blocks. These will be named Oak and Acorn, and they’re coming along great.
Siân Evans, operations manager here at Cityheart Living, says ‘Phase 1 has been operational for 4 years now and we have worked with Hartpury University throughout this time with their students residing in the Townhouses and Standard Ensuites.’
‘We are very excited to continue our relationship and have a further 190 Hartpury students in our Cityheart Living Gloucester Accommodation. We are keen to start planning events to ensure the new students we have in 2022, (who will be attending both University of Gloucestershire and Hartpury University) enjoy what will be for most, their first time living away from home, whilst ensuring peace of mind for their families.’
We were particularly impressed with the new office layout and its separate kitchen, as well as other amenities in the new accommodation: a post room, a meeting room and working space. Imran, our maintenance manager, is very keen to get stuck in and see how the maintenance setup will be different to phase one! Hartpury University is eager to get their students in for the new academic year, in their very own dedicated blocks here at phase two of our Blackfriars Residence.
Here at Cityheart Living we were pleased to see planters installed as part of the landscaping design, and we’re excited to find out what will be planted as we do our bit to ensure there is greenery for students in Gloucester to explore. John Huges, accommodation manager for Cityheart Living, says ‘I’m very pleased to see the project is coming along well & look forward to welcoming the students in September. It’s been great to see the site develop and I can’t wait to see the finished product!’
We thoroughly enjoyed our site visit at Blackfriars, and are very much looking forward to seeing it when it’s done. A huge thanks to Andy and Vitruvius, and to Lesley and Natalie from Hartpury University too. Students who are interested in staying in our new rooms at Blackfriars should apply directly through Hartpury University. Students are required to pay a £200.00 deposit and have a UK guarantor; rents start at £162.00 per week and the tenancy length is 40 weeks.
