Salford University’s PEEL PARK Quarter, its brand new, state-of-the-art student accommodation complex, was officially opened by the University and Salford Vilage Limited.
Professor Helen Marshall, Vice Chancellor, declared the building open at 3.30pm yesterday afternoon, during a plaque unveiling ceremony alongside consortium partners – investment experts Equitix and Kier Project Investments, construction specialists GRAHAM Investment projects and student accommodation operators Campus Living Villages, who between them are responsible for the building and management of the £81 million development.
Situated on the University’s Peel Park campus, the nine buildings offer a range of accommodation options, including accessible ensuites and superior deluxe. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a bright, stimulating study environment and many bedrooms offer a breath-taking view of the park.
There are 1,367 students currently on-site, following their arrival at the end of September, all enjoying world-class luxury at affordable prices.
Facilities include two 30-seater cinemas, communal social spaces with pool tables, free 50MB Wi-Fi, lounges featuring Sky TV and the latest games consoles, quiet study areas, professional meeting spaces equipped with the latest AV technology and a free on-site gym.
A library is next door and there’s even a nearby basketball court. A partnership with Student Grub allows residents to maintain both a healthy diet and a gourmet palette through regular deliveries of fresh food ingredients and delicious recipes. Student safety is also a priority, with staff on-site 24 hours a day, gated security, 13 external surveillance cameras and underground parking for over 300 cars and bikes.
Professor Marshall said: “These are some of the best student residences you will see anywhere in the UK. They quadruple the number of students living on campus at Salford, adding hugely to its vibrancy and providing a boost to the local Salford economy.”
Robert Moyle, Director of Salford Village Limited, explained: “Peel Park Quarter is the future of student accommodation in the UK – a home from home which combines luxury facilities with high-quality construction, innovative design solutions, the latest technology and first-rate customer service. It’s a safe and inviting haven in the heart of Salford, where students enjoy all the benefits of being on campus without having to compromise their living standards.”
Marina Hristova, President of the Student’s Union at the University of Salford, said: “The new accommodation looks fantastic. It accommodates for every modern student’s needs and more with its state-of-the art facilities and its on-campus location, and this will only further enhance the student experience for those who study here.”
Guests in attendance at the opening ceremony included the relatives and descendants of the local heroes and heroines after which seven of Peel Park Quarter’s buildings are named:
– L S Lowry, artist
– Shelagh Delaney, writer
– Billy Unsworth, war hero
– Emmeline Pankhurst, women’s rights campaigner
– Alfred Daber, war hero
– Ranulf de Blondeville, founder of Salford in 1230
– The Radclyffe Family
