New student residences have officially opened in Edinburgh following a £14 million investment by Heriot-Watt University.
The new 273 en-suite bedroom development is at the cutting edge of sustainable student accommodation and marks further expansion of the West Student Village.
Honouring a distinguished Edinburgh chemist
The halls, opened by Mike Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, are named after Dr Christina Cruickshank Miller (1899-2001), a Heriot-Watt graduate and lecturer described as one of the leading analytical chemists of her generation. Dr Miller was the first female chemist elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Heriot-Watt's success in delivering an excellent student experience is recognised at both a Scotland and UK level with top rankings in the UK's foremost university league table, as well as in student surveys, I am pleased the university is continuing to build on this with new accommodation.
Mike Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong LearningMichael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said, "It was honour to open this development which will offer students the very best in sustainable, affordable accommodation. Of course, the scale of the development will also have provided a welcome boost to the construction sector and wider economy in Edinburgh as well.
"Heriot-Watt's success in delivering an excellent student experience is recognised at both a Scotland and UK level with top rankings in the UK's foremost university league table, as well as in student surveys, I am pleased the university is continuing to build on this with new accommodation."
Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of Heriot-Watt University, said, "This multi-million pound development is part of a major investment programme in our campuses in Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders to provide safe, secure and comfortable accommodation in self-catering, fully-furnished flats.
"The new build demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability and our aspirations of continued growth and development."
Sustainble buildings
In keeping with the University's commitment to sustainability, the residencies have achieved an 'excellent' rating for environmental performance under the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), the globally-recognised sustainable design accreditation scheme.
The University is also developing new residencies at its Scottish Borders Campus, providing state-of-the art accommodation and further increasing the number of student rooms on-campus.
Morgan Sindall was the main contractor, and RMJM provided architectural services.