Exciting new halls of residence being developed in Hastings

A brand new halls of residence is being developed in Hastings to offer university and international students high-quality accommodation while they study in the town @WeAreESCG

Award-winning design and development company, Cochrane Design, will be converting the former University of Brighton building on Havelock Road, and a property on Cambridge Gardens, into what is the College’s first dedicated student halls of residence.

Cochrane Design will bring their high-end construction and finishes to the buildings to create timeless, elegant designs while maximising space.

The accommodation will offer 106 self-contained studios, allowing students to live comfortably while they study at one of the College’s main campuses, Station Plaza or Ore Valley.

The Havelock Road site, which is just a short walk from the Station Plaza campus, will offer a large common room, gym area, two games room, a cinema room, kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities and bike storage.

The Cambridge Gardens accommodation will be converted into smaller halls of residence offering 22 rooms, along with a common room, laundry facilities, bike storage, and a management office.

David Fowler, Head of Higher Education at East Sussex College, said, “This is a really exciting development for the College, the town, and potential students looking to study in Hastings.

We’re now able to offer high-end student accommodation, something that was missing from our university experience for a number of years. We’re really pleased that Cochrane Design is developing the Cambridge Gardens and Havelock Road sites into comfortable, functional, and luxurious spaces that are accessible for all.”

The building development will be completed in two phases. Phase one will see the Cambridge Gardens halls opening in September 2021, and phase two will see the Havelock Road accommodation opening in September 2022.

Sean Cochrane, CEO of Cochrane Design, said, “I have been working in Hastings for over two years and have been totally taken in by the town’s history, charm, and architecture. I am thrilled to be spearheading this project, along with East Sussex College, to develop the first student halls in Hastings. We are not only creating student accommodation with the Cochrane Design twist; we have also looked into every aspect of student life, including comfort, study, play, and wellbeing.

This is a heart-warming project that is a pleasure to be involved in. I believe it is a real positive for us, the College, and the town during what is a difficult global pandemic.”

The building work is due to start next month, once the national lockdown has been lifted. Cochrane Designs has started the tender process to find a local contractor and has also pledged to support construction students studying at the College to offer them on-site work experience.

Sean added, “I would like the development of Havelock Road accommodation to benefit as many students as possible, including those studying construction courses at the college, to create a positive legacy.”

Also from September 2021, students wishing to study degrees in Lewes and Eastbourne will be able to stay at the College’s Caburn House at the Lewes campus. Degree students are being offered ensuite rooms, with wifi and amenities, communal kitchen for up to eight students, laundry and common room facilities all for just £120 per week.