UPP, the leading provider of on-campus student accommodation infrastructure in the UK, has reached financial close with the University of Exeter on the new West Park development – a large-scale, innovative Passivhaus scheme.
UPP is the UK’s only multi-discipline, full-service Design, Build, Fund and Operate (DBFO) company that is dedicated to the Higher Education sector. With over 25 years of experience operating in the sector and having invested over £3.5bn, UPP has a strong track record of delivering next generation campuses at scale.
UPP has worked in partnership with the University of Exeter since 2009 and currently operates 4,130 beds across three existing schemes on the Streatham Campus. The new development at West Park will provide 1,849 new and refurbished beds.
Elaine Hewitt, UPP CEO said:
“We are delighted to reach financial close on such an innovative project with the University of Exeter. This sustainable development represents the future of student accommodation, providing new homes for over 1800 students.
“West Park is the next step in our partnership with the University and is testament to the strength of our relationship and of the excellent work our site team continue to do there supporting student residents.”
Mike Shore-Nye, Senior Vice-President and Registrar and Secretary at the University of Exeter, said:
“Achieving financial close with our partners UPP is a significant and exciting milestone and I look forward to seeing the planning come to life as construction starts on new student residences on our Streatham Campus. When complete, the additional bedrooms will allow more of our students to enjoy a modern, purpose-built, on-campus living experience.
“Building to Passivhaus standards, the new accommodation supports our ambitious aims to increase energy efficiency and carbon neutrality on campus and leads the way for university accommodation across the country.”
This West Park development will see UPP design, build, finance and operate the new residences through creating new accommodation in the existing Clydesdale and Nash area of the Streatham Campus and by converting existing accommodation at Birks Grange village. Bouygues UK have been appointed as the contractor.
The first tranche of students will be welcomed into the new accommodation in September 2027, with full occupation by September 2028.
Willmore Iles Architects and Architype have designed the West Park scheme to be Passivhaus certified (an internationally recognised and exemplary standard of energy efficiency, carbon reduction and occupant comfort) with hot water produced by heat pumps and the new development being completely gas-free. It is also accredited to the WELL Community Standard, meaning the design is certified as having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of residents across seven key wellbeing aspects.
