St Hilda’s College has recently purchased two substantial properties within Oxford, allowing the college to meet its long-term aim of being able to offer accommodation to all of its undergraduates throughout their degrees.
The college, located primarily in Cowley, successfully completed the purchase on Friday 7th October. Two buildings in two locations, 38 St Giles’ and 11 Norham Gardens, have been acquired for a combined total of £18 million. Both properties once provided accommodation for the students of the now-closed St Benet’s Hall, after the University Council decided not to renew Benet’s PPH (Personal Private Hall) licence.
Although students have started moving in already, extensive plans for renovation are reportedly being drawn up. Once refurbished, the properties will provide more than 80 rooms and increase St Hilda’s undergraduate capacity to 470 rooms. The St Giles’ property, formerly the main site for St Benet’s, comprises two five-storey, Grade II listed Georgian townhouses with extensive bedroom space and communal facilities. The second property, 11 Norham Gardens, is an extended three-storey villa set within a half-acre landscaped garden. The site also provides extensive academic and communal facilities for residents.
Unlike other Oxford colleges, St. Hilda’s was previously unable to offer accommodation to its second-year students, meaning students had to look elsewhere in Oxford for housing. The acquisition of these properties allows St Hilda’s to offer housing to all its undergraduates seeking accommodation for the entire duration of their studies.
The acquisitions also have the potential to secure other developments for St Hilda’s with the generation of additional income from external events and summer schools being part of the long-term plans for the sites. Additionally, the college also plans to approach alumni to arrange sponsorship opportunities for the two new buildings.
The College Principal, Professor Dame Sarah Springman, said: “When I became Principal in February, I thought it would take years to reach this milestone. It is wonderful to be able to announce that we have achieved our objective so much sooner, and I congratulate our team. Our students will have diversity of choice, which will contribute to having a better student experience, and it will raise the profile of the College in Oxford.”
Senior Tutor, Dr Sarah Norman, said: “Being able to offer all undergraduates accommodation for the full period of their degree will make the College more attractive to prospective students. Firstly, they will not have to find costly private accommodation for their second year. Secondly, we will be able to offer them the best of both worlds with a tranquil riverside campus and the opportunity to live in and enjoy the city centre.”
The college’s Disability Fellow, Professor Lorna Smith, said: “This accommodation will be a huge help for students who have conditions that give them reduced mobility or less energy. They will be able to have rooms close to their Faculties and Departments, and so easily return to their rooms to rest or study during the day in between lectures, classes or lab work.”