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Derwent Living finds out what’s on a student’s wish list

Date: 08 December 2006

STUDENTS are so keen to live at The Canalside, Birmingham’s luxurious student living complex, that they are even booking their rooms for 2009!

January sees the opening of phase two of the £20 million state-of-the-art development – when 200 more students move in.

Housing provider Derwent Living reports that not only is The Canalside booked for 2007, but they are also receiving advance bookings for 2007/08 – and some second year students are reserving rooms for 2008/09!

Caroline Moore, manager at The Canalside said that last week 40 students arrived to see the show flat and to register their name to get on the waiting list. Mostly, they are Aston University students – but some are coming from UCE.

She said: “We have been taking names for the next academic year 2007/08 since August 2006. We are now having to advise students that we are full for that year but they can go on the waiting list. We do guarantee that the students that are currently in The Canalside do get a place for the coming year.

“For 2008/09, we have 25 names on the list already. It’s truly incredible to see, but many students are close to tears when they realise they have been lucky enough to secure a place.”

Duncan Brown, project manager at Derwent Living, said: “Students are very keen to take up residence at The Canalside. Not only is it a brand new building, but it’s a stone’s throw from the universities and where it’s all happening.

“The Canalside’s gym is also attracting students who want to use the on-site facilities, while others say that it’s the rooms and en suite bathrooms which are a big draw.”

When the first phase of The Canalside in Lower Loveday Street opened in September, all 184 spaces were filled, having been booked up months in advance. When The Canalside is complete, it will be home to 609 students.

“The take up on the units has been excellent,” says Mr Brown.

The gym features treadmills, rowers, weights and stepping machines and will be available in 2007.

At The Canalside, students have their own mini fridges under their desks in their rooms. They have Internet access, CCTV door entry systems and en suite bathrooms.

In the Canalside communal kitchens, students have TVs, microwaves and even dishwashers, says Mr Brown.

“The accommodation has been enhanced to meet growing demand for high specification student living,” he says.

“It’s true to say that student accommodation is more like hotel chain standards. Derwent Living is helping to raise the standard of student accommodation throughout the Midlands.”

Each of the student rooms has a “pod” bathroom which come as a high tech, complete unit and is “dropped” into each of the student rooms.

The contemporary new building on the 1.3 acre site features green communal areas, on-site security, car parking, cycle stores and a student help desk.

The student accommodation comprises of four, five and six-bed student “clusters”, all with en suite shower rooms. There are also seven studio flats with shower rooms and kitchen areas.

Faith Williams, 19, from London is a second year student studying international relations and business.

“It’s a great place and somewhere you are proud to bring your friends,” she said.

“Everything is catered for here. You have your own bathroom, your own fridge and a TV – and even the TV licence is taken care of.”

Derwent Living is a major provider of student accommodation in a number of university cities including Nottingham, Sheffield, Leicester and Derby – and it has two schemes in Coventry, says Mr Brown.

“We have a reputation for providing superior, well managed accommodation for students in what are regarded as safe environments,” says Mr Brown.

He added: “We see this scheme as a catalyst for regeneration in Birmingham and it’s providing much needed affordable student accommodation. This development is an exciting project for Derwent Living as it moves out of the East Midlands and into the Birmingham area.

“This part of the city has not seen any major redevelopment as yet, but this student accommodation will form a focal point.”

The development is at the forefront of regeneration in an area of the city close to Aston University.

Students at The Canalside take residence near to some of Birmingham’s trendiest apartments in the City Living area.

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