A step closer to deadline of 2016 students moving in

University of Roehampton are celebrating reaching a significant milestone in the construction of a new student accommodation building with a traditional ‘Topping Out’ ceremony.

The Topping Out ceremony marks contractor Osborne reaching the highest point of the building.


University Vice Chancellor Professor Paul O’Prey laid the final section

Dr Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Director of Estates and Campus Services at Roehampton, said:
“For many years, when our students and visitors arrived on campus, the first thing they saw was an uninspiring car park. We really value the collegiate, community feel which the University has created. This space was perfect for development so we’re delighted to reach the topping out and be well on our way to building a new home for nearly 400 people in the very heart of our grounds. Doing so has immediately put students’ lives and the campus experience at the forefront of their time with us.”

Andrew Osborne, Chairman of Osborne and son of founder, Geoffrey Osborne, gave a speech celebrating reaching the significant milestone, which was followed by University Vice Chancellor Professor Paul O’Prey, who spoke of his hopes for the building and laid a final section of concrete to mark the occasion.

Construction work started in March 2015 and the £27million project will see new student accommodation building on the University grounds, containing just under 400 rooms, together with a new conference centre, which will be opened in time for the new intake of students in September 2016.

Graham Burrows, Osborne, Senior Project Manger said: “Being able to celebrate the ‘Topping Out’ with everybody from the University is a fantastic moment. This exciting new building will provide students with excellent facilities, at a superb location.”

As part of the project, a new car park has been built and is in use at the edge of the university’s campus so drivers can still park on site without disrupting local roads.

The finished building will see panoramic views towards central London, as well as being surrounded by modern landscaping, easy access to its modern teaching facilities, the University library, students’ union and sports facilities.

November 20, 2015