Coventry’s derelict
YWCA is to be transformed into a 92-bedroom luxury hall of
residence for students in a £2 million development.
Cromwell Developments,
part of the city-based Benfield Group, has bought the empty
buildings and is set to transform them.
The company has agreed a
lease for the complex in Sherbourne House in Meadow Street with
Coventry University. It is hoped the first students will move in
for the beginning of the next academic year.
Managing director Clive
Benfield said the buildings, which have been empty for two
years, would be completely refitted to bring them up to the
highest standards for student accommodation.
He said:
"We will be
creating 92 en-suite rooms which will be grouped in
apartments, with a kitchen and lounge for every five or six
rooms.
“It is a major
refurbishment including new windows and central heating to
provide high quality furnished accommodation for students. We
will also be providing the management of the building.
"The exact
configuration of the building has yet to be finalised but we
hope that students will be moving in later this year."
Professor Donald
Pennington, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, said the move
was part of a drive to provide higher quality standard of
student accommodation.
He said:
"This is the
first time we have worked like this with a private developer
when we have not owned the land or the building.
"Many
universities are working well with private housing companies
or housing associations in order to develop such schemes.
"National surveys
of students living away from home show that good quality
accommodation is in demand. Students work hard at their chosen
course of study, with many having part time jobs. Given this
they prefer to live in pleasant, easy to manage, well-provided
accommodation."