The centre of Durham has welcomed a new, purpose-built student accommodation scheme incorporating a former Victorian hospital, which was successfully completed in anticipation of this year’s intake of students.

Sladen Estates, Peveril Securities and Helios Properties completed the high-specification, 362-bed development Rushford Court three weeks ahead of schedule.

“We are delighted to have completed this stunning development ahead of schedule for Unite Students. This is a significant scheme for Durham on a site with a great deal of local heritage and we are exceptionally happy with the finished development,” said Chief executive at Sladen Estates, Nick Sladen.

The development saw the extensive restoration and modernisation of the original 1850’s Durham County Hospital Harding building, which now houses a range of studio apartments and amenities including: a gym, cinema room, co-study areas and communal entertainment space. Two, modern, purpose-built accommodation wings have replaced the redundant 1970’s buildings on the hospital site.

“We have revitalised a gateway site to the city whilst also providing much needed student accommodation to relieve some of the pressure on the local housing stock,” Nick added.

The development is owned and operated by Unite Students, the UK’s largest and most established manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation which operates more than 50,000 beds across the country.

“We have seen excellent take up so far which is testament to the quality of services on offer and there is no doubt that Rushford Court offers the best accommodation available in Durham. From our first glimpse of the site and the proposed scheme we knew it would attract a great deal of positive attention, and the finished scheme has realised an even better vision than the plans displayed,” said Matt Painter of Unite Students.