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Univ North groundbreaking event

A groundbreaking event has taken place to mark the official start of building work at the Univ North site.

The Master, Baroness Amos, welcomed guests to the Staverton Road site, which included Old Members and friends of the College – including benefactors of the development – current students, College staff, and representatives from the Fairfield Residential Home, which shares the site with the College, the Univ North Neighbourhood Review Group and contractors, SDC Builders Ltd.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday 9 May, Baroness Amos said: “This is a really important day for the College, and the realisation of a vision and an ambition that has been in the planning for some time. Being here today and seeing the progress that has been made is quite extraordinary. None of this would have happened without a lot of people being involved.

“I would like to thank our foundation funders, Dr David Frederick and Sophie Lynn, who are unable to be with us today; to my predecessor Ivor Crewe, our incredible alumni who have given us so much support, with resourcing and time; our Fellows, staff and students, who have been committed to this project for a long time; our neighbours, who have held us accountable for what we have been doing; our partners here at Fairfield Residential Home; our consultants, who have worked with us over such a long period of time, and our construction partners.”

Following the ceremonial shovelling of earth and photos, guests were invited to have a short tour of the site, led by Farid Zadeh, Project Manager, and Dan Changer, Board Director, from SDC. They outlined some of the current work taking place, including the removal of the old Fairfield House south and west extensions, the tree protection measures and preparations for the foundations of the new buildings.

About Univ North

The location of Univ’s visionary North Oxford development at Staverton Road has been a second home for students for nearly 50 years. The new Univ North development will offer the College’s community of staff, students and academics modern, energy-efficient, multi-functional buildings with up to 150 study bedspaces, gym, café, study and meeting spaces, as well as a 54-place nursery provision. The scheme will renovate existing buildings, rejuvenate heritage orchards, and offer beautifully landscaped gardens, together with accessible access routes and rooms. This continues Univ’s aim to provide the very best facilities for students, staff and academics.

You can read more about the College’s vision for its complementary community, and our latest developments, on the Univ North page  or read all of the our Univ North News.

Published: 24 May 2023

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