Green village for uni

Dec 9 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

WATSON Burton property and construction lawyers have successfully completed a major £12m deal for the University of Sunderland, which will create a green student village in the heart of the city.

The University and its legal advisors negotiated the significant investment through the sale of two halls of residence to developers U Student (Sunderland) Limited. The halls will be developed to create the core of an energy efficient student residential centre to be known as The Forge – U Student Village.

Barney Frith, Watson Burton property partner, led the legal team. He said: “The complex negotiations connected with this important project covered all aspects of the sale, the content and quality of the student village, and its future management.

“We are delighted the transaction completed effectively, and that work is underway on an innovative residential project. The University of Sunderland has a dynamic regeneration programme which is bringing new life to the city campus and high quality accommodation to students.”

The Forge – U Student Village will be based at Pallion. It will include 550 rooms, bar, cafe, social space and shop.

Ian Gray, director of estates and facilities at the University of Sunderland, said: “It’s great news that we have successfully secured this private sector investment in The Forge – U Student Village. The quality of the advice we received from Watson Burton’s high-level team brought us excellent results from an extremely dedicated team.

“Our partnership with U Student will create a secure, fully refurbished, modern, energy-efficient student village, with great living facilities that meet the expectations of our students.”

The first phase of the project, to build the 249-bed Marr House, is already under way and will be ready for occupation by September 2010. The second phase, Jopling House, which includes 303 rooms, will begin redevelopment in August 2010 and open in September 2011.

Watson Burton has worked closely with the University of Sunderland on major projects for many years. The property team advised on each phase of the Sir Tom Cowie Campus development at Sunderland’s Riverside, including the David Putt- nam Media Centre.