Opening celebrates completion of Northfield development
The official opening last week (Thursday 23 January) of the third phase of the Northfield student residences marked the conclusion of this housing development at the north end of campus.
L-R: Kelly McBride (Students’ Union President), Professor Michael Farthing (Vice-Chancellor) and Lorinda Holness (Residential Services Manager) cut the scarlet ribbon to declare phase three of the Northfield student residences officially open.
“This is the end of the project, but it is of course the beginning,” said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, referring to the 150 Sussex students who are starting the new year in their new home.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked the contractors for “a really fabulous job” and noted that the development had been “built with huge sensitivity” to the surrounding downland landscape.
Although students living in Northfield enjoy views of nearby Stanmer Park and the South Downs National Park, the buildings sit entirely within the University campus.
Construction of the Northfield development began back in 2009 and phase one (777 study bedrooms in 14 blocks) has been open since summer 2011.
Phase two (an additional 180 rooms in three blocks) was completed in summer 2012.
Completion of the two blocks in phase three (148 rooms), which have been under construction since summer 2012, brings the project to its conclusion.
“This final extension to the Northfield residences will help us to meet our target of housing 40% of Sussex students in University-managed accommodation and also to meet the continuing demand for high-quality, en-suite rooms,” explained Charles Dudley, the Director of Residential, Sport and Trading Services.
The Northfield development is self-financing, i.e. the capital investment has been financed by future rents and vacation income.