Developers break ground on £98m student campus at Wembley

Property developer Cole Waterhouse has broken ground on its £98m student campus scheme in the heart of Wembley.

The development, known as First Way, will comprise 678 student beds, seminar space, staff offices, a library, gym facilities and a cafe-style restaurant.

It will also offer open-market office space in 6,500 sq ft plates and landscaped gardens for residents.

Once complete in 2020, it will be used by students at the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB), which is based at Wembley Stadium.

An official ceremony to mark the construction milestone was attended by representatives of Manchester- and London-based Cole Waterhouse, together with contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, architects CZWG, UCFB and Unite Students, to which the scheme has been forward-funded.

Cole Waterhouse chief exec Damian Flood said: “It’s been great to be able to get everyone down here to mark First Way breaking ground.

First Way is designed by architects CZWG

“Our aim has always been to create a campus that will allow the students at UCFB to be able to make the most of what London and Wembley has to offer.”

He added: “It’s so close to transport links and all the regeneration that is happening across the borough will make it a seriously great place to study, live and work.”

Bowmer & Kirkland regional director Matthew Cruttenden commented: “The Bowmer & Kirkland team is delighted to be working with Cole Waterhouse to deliver these impressive facilities for UCFB and their students.

“Works on site are progressing well and we are looking forward to handing over the keys in July 2020 in readiness for the new academic year.”

CZWG Architects LLP partner Peter Leiper said: “It is great to witness this important milestone today on such an exciting project for us.

“This is Unite’s first fully modular scheme and CZWG’s design approach has developed the project in a way that will ensure a fast and efficient construction schedule on this tight urban site.”

He continued: “The completed campus will provide a range of facilities to enhance the student experience and add to the high level of teaching provided by UCFB, complimenting the exciting regeneration already taking place in the area.”

Jim Hendley, managing partner at Henry Riley LLP, which in on board providing cost and project management services to Cole Waterhouse, said: “The regeneration project at Wembley is one of the largest in the country and the Campus will have a great impact on the students as well as local residents and workers.”