Jody Wilkinson

Student accommodation is evolving, with high-quality accommodation and wellness amenities now the norm. Private investment is driving change, but university-owned projects are also innovating. Meeting sustainability demands within strict time, cost and labour limitations is the challenge, as Jim Gillen, Jody Wilkinson and Benjamin Stroud report. Both private capital and universities are investing in and building student accommodation.

Source: James Santer / AHMM 01 / Introduction British universities have needed to provide effective, affordable accommodation for their students for centuries. London’s Royal Holloway University, for example, still has dorm rooms in use that date back to the 1890s. Expectations of student housing have evolved over time. The levels of building safety, quality and amenities provided are now higher than they have ever been.

Northern Ireland’s dynamism, coupled with strong foreign investment, has ensured it is well-placed to make the most of post-Brexit activity, especially now that devolved government has resumed after the political deadlock. Aecom’s Trevor Leaker, Paul Tully and Jody Wilkinson examine the market in Belfast and beyond 01 / Introduction Stormont is back.