The Pro-Vice Chancellor of Swansea University and representatives from Swansea University; Navitas; The College, Swansea University; and developer, St Modwen, joined main contractor, VINCI Construction UK in celebrating construction of the highest point of the new student accommodation building, which is one of two new buildings for The College, Swansea University, a joint venture between the University and Navitas.

Comprising 411 bedrooms, the project will provide additional high quality living accommodation for the stunning new Bay Campus, bringing the total amount of student rooms to circa 2,500.

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Picture:  Paul Lovegrove of Navitas; Sharon Davies-Smith of The College, Swansea University; Gareth Owen of St. Modwen; and Professor Iwan Davies of Swansea University ‘top out’ the accommodation building of The College, Swansea University. 

The Topping Out ceremony took in the view of the new Academic Building, the second of the two building projects. It is also making good progress, and will be providing a high quality teaching facility for students, adding to the already impressive Bay Campus.

This major project, overseen by expert developer and regeneration specialist St. Modwen, in partnership with Swansea University, is situated on a 65-acre former BP site in Neath Port Talbot and is now one of the largest knowledge economy schemes in Europe. The Bay Campus development aims to provide facilities for multinational, small and medium sized enterprises to co-locate alongside academic, student accommodation and research facilities.

The current projects continue the long standing working relationship between the parties on the Bay Campus Development.

Rupert Joseland, Property Director – West and Wales for St. Modwen, the development partner for Swansea University’s Bay Campus, said:

“The Bay Campus is one of our flagship UK developments.  We are extremely proud of our long-term development partnership with Swansea University and of the part we continue to play in helping the University to achieve its vision of becoming a world-class educational establishment. 

Having already delivered the first phase of over one million sq. ft. of academic and recreational space on site, our provision of these two new buildings further strengthens Swansea University’s decade-long partnership with Navitas and moves it one step closer to realising its global ambitions.”

Professor Iwan Davies, Swansea University Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor, said:

“We are delighted to be here with our joint venture partners Navitas to welcome this new project milestone with St. Modwen and VINCI Construction UK.

 “This exciting project is set to further enhance our decade-long partnership with Navitas and will help the University to achieve a strong ‘one Swansea’ ethos of student integration, which reflects our confidence in their business model, global reach, and shared ambition for growth.

When complete, this project will help Swansea University in partnership with Navitas to provide students with an alternative path to university life and together we will continue to enable students to come to Swansea from every corner of the globe.”

Paul Lovegrove of Navitas said:

“Today marks an exciting milestone in the development of our prestigious purpose-built academic building and residence hall. It signals progress with our vision to further our international reputation, and to build on 10 years of excellence together. We are proud to be part of this venture, which will better enable us to together extend a seamless experience for students.”

Russell Flowers, Regional Director of VINCI Construction UK, said:

“It was a welcome opportunity to celebrate the completion of the structure with a topping out ceremony on the roof of the Phase2A Residential building. VINCI Construction UK are proud to have been involved with the Bay Campus since 2011 and are delighted to be constructing the new Navitas Academic building along with the new 411-bedroom residential block for St. Modwen and Swansea University both of which will be completed later this year. 

VINCI look forward to continuing their long-standing relationship with St. Modwen and Swansea University on future projects."

Picture:  James Andrew & Paul Norman of VINCI Constructions UK presenting the ceremonial trowels to Gareth Owen of St. Modwen and Professor Iwan Davies of Swansea University.