Staffordshire University Student Village

EvoInfra is delighted to have provided financial advice to Hochtief PPP and Plenary on Staffordshire University’s Student Village.

The University’s multi-million pound scheme will be delivered in partnership with Staffordshire Campus Living, a consortium formed by Hochtief PPP, Plenary and the University.

Simon Johnson, Project Lead and Partner, said: “Firstly, congratulations to Staffordshire University and the Staffordshire Campus Living consortium on reaching financial close for the Project. The student accommodation will sit well within the campus as a whole and support an excellent student experience. We are delighted to continue our successful relationship with the consortium parties in our role as financial adviser.

The Project was funded on an income strip basis by Aviva Investors. It’s been quite a long time since a deal was done on that basis in the student accommodation DBFO sector. It’s far from simple to make the two work together, so it’s very pleasing that the team got it over the line.

The sector needs both to deliver more accommodation to meet demand and to update old accommodation to meet modern expectations, so I think it is hugely encouraging that this opens up another potential funding route for some of the universities that have not historically had the same breadth of options as the top-ranked institutions.“

The landmark project will see around 700 new student rooms built in cluster blocks and town houses in the new Student Village, while the University’s existing Clarice Cliff Court accommodation, home to almost 300 students, will also be refurbished to meet the same high standards. The Project will also provide a village ‘hub’ facility that will act as a social space for students and feature events and wellbeing spaces, study areas and a roof-top terrace with an outdoor seating area.

Due for completion in 2026, the new Student Village on the University’s Leek Road site will blend contemporary and sustainable architecture with its location close to the University’s nature reserve and River Trent. New green spaces will also be created on the site of the University’s existing accommodation, which is being demolished once the new Student Village is up and running.