Professor Sir David King will open the University of Liverpool’s £45 million student village, Vine Court, which is at the cutting edge of sustainable accommodation in the higher education sector.
The student residential development at the heart of the University’s campus on Chatham Street features shops, a 250-seat restaurant and 749 en-suite student bedrooms.
In keeping with the University’s sustainability agenda, the residences benefit from a low energy heating and cooling system, rainwater harvesting, low energy lighting and solar thermal water heating. The development also features green roofs for wildlife habitats.
Professor Sir David King, Chancellor of the University and former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government, said: “Vine Court is at the forefront of sustainable residential development in the UK higher education sector and this significant investment in accommodation makes the student experience that the University of Liverpool offers world-class.
“It also means that Liverpool is able to maintain the calibre of the students it attracts and ensures that the quality of its accommodation matches the excellence of its teaching provision.”
Vine Court opened its doors to students beginning their studies at the University in September. The institution has also been awarded planning permission to develop additional student accommodation on Brownlow Hill and Crown Street.
The £65 million development will comprise 1,259 en-suite rooms as well as retail outlets. Featuring two striking glass towers nine storeys high, the scheme will be located on a prominent gateway to Liverpool’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’.
The University is also developing new residences at Mulberry Court and off campus at its Greenbank site at Mossley Hill. The University’s historic 18th Century Greenbank House which was left to the University by the Rathbone family, is also set to benefit from a multi-million investment.