UPP has been chosen as the Preferred Bidder to partner on a detailed proposal for refurbishing the College of St Hild and St Bede's Riverside location and developing new accommodation at the Leazes Road site.

Durham University selected UPP, a leading provider of on-campus student accommodation in the UK, to complete the project. The primary goal for both the university and Durham City is to increase the percentage of students living in high-quality, university-owned or managed accommodation.

Jeremy Cook OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Colleges and Student Experience), Durham University said: "We are delighted to announce UPP as preferred bidder and look forward to working together to develop a scheme for the redevelopment of the Leazes Road site. The project will seek to rejuvenate The College of St Hild and St Bede on its iconic and beautiful site on the slope of the river Wear, providing excellent accommodation with a first-class student experience for the future. In securing preferred bidder status, UPP is working in partnership with the University to shape exciting plans and state of the art designs for accommodation at the Leazes Road site."

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During this period, the College of St Hild and St Bede will be situated at Rushford Court, which provides modern, purpose-built student accommodation just a short walk from the city centre.

Durham University highlighted some particularly important factors in their choice of UPP including:

•A strong commitment to a partnership approach in the renovation of Hild Bede

•A sympathetic design approach which respects the heritage and parkland aspects of the Leazes Road site

UPP’s extensive market experience

•A mature and comprehensive FM service proposal

•A commitment to support the University’s sustainability and Net Zero aspirations

•UPP will now continue to work with Durham University to refine the proposal with the scheme currently scheduled to start in 2025.

Elaine Hewitt, UPP CEO stated: "UPP is delighted to be working on this incredibly important project at Durham University. This scheme is about respecting, protecting and enhancing the history and heritage of Durham University for the benefit of future students. We are excited to co-create an environment that puts student experience at its heart, building on each unique college identity."

UPP is the UK's only multi-discipline, full-service Design, Build, Fund and Operate (DBFO) company dedicated to the Higher Education sector. With over 25 years of experience and an investment exceeding £3.5 billion, UPP has a proven track record of delivering large-scale, next-generation campuses.