Building work at Rushford Court in the Viaduct area of Durham has been completed, and the College of St Hild and St Bede has moved in. The official opening of the redeveloped site was marked by a celebration event this week, bringing together partners from the university, the college and Unite Students.
Colleagues from across the University, the College of St Hild and St Bede, Unite Students and the local community came together to celebrate the opening of the new building at Rushford Court at a celebration event.
Partnership with Unite Students
Rushford Court is owned by Unite Students, the UK’s largest provider of student accommodation, and the company has improved and extended the 358-bed Rushford Court site, in partnership with Durham University, as part of a 40-year agreement.
A new home for Hild Bede
The property is currently the temporary home of the University’s College of St. Hild and St. Bede while options for redeveloping their historic site are explored. In the longer term, the University is proposing to establish an 18th college at Rushford Court. Hild Bede moved to their new home in 2024 and are now planning how to best make use of the newly developed spaces.
New facilities for students
The redevelopment has included the construction of a new two-storey hub building, consisting of a common room with a cafe-bar and social space, reception, and study space.
New building at Rushford Court
Additionally, work on the existing Harding Building includes new college staff offices and welfare and study spaces, as well as the reinstatement of the historic entrance. The former reception building has been transformed into a new gym and yoga suite.
Image of the Harding Building at Rushford Court
Sam Cooper, JCR President at Hild Bede says:
““The opening of the wonderful new building at Rushford Court has been a great success and has blown away my expectations as a student space. Having an amazing college bar as well as such a warm common room area is such a tremendous college asset and I can’t wait to start planning and using the space myself and watching students do the same.”
Environmentally friendly development
In unanimously approving the plans in 2023, members of Durham County Council’s planning committee said biodiversity and carbon reduction were both above and beyond the required levels, and that the plans would ease the pressure on local residents, and help to free up privately rented homes in the community for families. New solar panels have been added to two of the accommodation blocks to further improve the energy efficiency of the building.
Discover more…
Learn more about the College of St Hild and St Bede
Learn more about the redevelopment of Hild Bede
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