MKB Law Acting Law Firm in Belfast’s College Square East Building Plans

Published: 26 June 2014

First Private Student Accommodation Planned for Belfast’s Landmark College Square East Building

£16million project to create 400 student beds, local jobs and increase city centre footfall

Belfast Metropolitan College has sold its College Square East building to Welsh construction firm Watkin Jones & Sons – a ninth generation family-run construction company specialising in delivering private student accommodation across the UK. In a project valued at £16million, the company plans to seek planning permission and listed building consent in order to convert College Square East into the first private student accommodation scheme in Belfast, housing 400 students.

Watkin Jones intends to employ local contractors for the construction work and hopes to have the accommodation completed for the 2016 academic year. To date Watkin Jones has developed over 25,000 student beds across the UK.

This landmark project will also have a significant impact on Belfast retail and leisure sectors bringing an additional 400 students into the city centre, providing a substantial boost to the local economy.

Commenting on the purchase, Glyn Watkin Jones chairman stated,

“We have been watching and monitoring the Belfast student accommodation market for 5 years now.  We are aware of the under-supply of purpose built accommodation in the city and on-going issues in the Holylands.  We believe this £16m investment to deliver around 400 beds spaces will offer a high quality product, which is currently not available for the students studying in Belfast.  With the new University of Ulster campus underway and Queen’s and Belfast Met continuing to grow, we see this as an ideal time to enter the Belfast market.  We have much experience of converting listed buildings for student accommodation and are excited about the potential end product.”

MKB Law are delighted to be involved in a project to bring back to life one of Belfast’s greatest landmarks. To speak to a property solicitor at MKB Law call 028 9024 2450 to set up a consultation or visit our Property Page for more details.

This article is for general guidance only and should not be regarded as a substitute for professional legal advice.

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