Goldsmiths, University of London Student Housing Transfer.

Descriptions

Goldsmiths, University of London (‘the University’) would like to procure a partner to lease, refurbish and operate the student housing that it currently owns.The strategic context is that the University is looking to expand its student numbers, while consolidating and maintaining its single campus site. This will see an increase from current student numbers of c. 8 000 to around 12 000 by 2023.The University's Draft Estates Masterplan will support its aspirations for growth and improved student experience. The campus is located in New Cross, within the London Borough of Lewisham, with a total non-residential floor space of c. 66 000 m2. The University has several options for its next phase of investment, which offer the opportunity to create distinctive academic buildings along the prominent frontage of New Cross Road and Lewisham Way. These developments will partially be financed by the proceeds from the Student Housing Transfer project.The University's student housing is spread across 11 sites on or near the campus. All of the housing is self-catered and the majority of the 1 387 beds are en-suite. Of these, 591 are on leases which expire in the next 6 to 8 years, 405 are on short term nomination agreements and 391 beds (in Chesterman House, Raymont Hall, and Surrey House) are owned by the University. The University is seeking a strategic partner to invest in the refurbishment of these University-owned properties and operate them. The 3 freehold halls are well-located, but much of the accommodation they offer is below market in terms of condition, functional suitability, proportion of en-suite rooms, and provision of social space; in short, they are not making an optimal contribution to the student experience.Interested parties will be invited to:— make proposals for taking a lease (likely not to exceed 40 years) on either Raymont Hall alone or Raymont Hall and either or both of Surrey House and Chesterman House as a package;— propose a specification and programme for the refurbishment of the properties, which may include a creative overhaul of some layouts to create living spaces in line with the University's objectives, together with opportunities to extend, create further rooms or amend internal layouts to provide additional bedrooms;— agree the specification of service level agreements for operating the halls during the concession period; and— explore what additional value might be generated by the University offering a “hard” nominations agreement for an initial period.The University has established the following Core Objectives to deliver its vision for its student housing requirements:1. Maximise the value which the overall transaction offers to the University as a key plank in the “Sustaining Goldsmiths” strategy.2. Enhance the experience for the University's students in the living spaces as well as learning Strategic Project.