Earlier this year I received a message from one of my best friends that I met at University. He pointed out that we’ve known each other for 16 years now. 16? What the what now? I went to uni 16 years ago? It feels like yesterday, I’m a little in shock! Then I received an email about some new designer student accommodation in Newcastle and I was even more shocked. Students these days don’t even know they’re born!! (I’m really starting to feel old now). This is the most unstudenty student accommodation I think I have ever seen. When I was a student, I had a tiny prison cell-like room that contained nothing more than a single bed, a desk and a wardrobe with a pin board on the wall above the bed. I shared a kitchen with 12 other students and a toilet, bathroom and shower room with six others. It was anything but luxurious I assure you. It was worlds apart from this amazing development in Newcastle by the UK’s leading luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate AC.
Part of Collegiate AC’s Fusion Students portfolio, Plummer House opened it’s doors to a seriously lucky selection of students at the start of the 2016/17 academic year. Situated just 10 minutes from the University of Newcastle on Market Street in the city centre, the building combines the elegance of 19th century architecture with modern, contemporary design. The original building was established in 1910 and key period features have been preserved throughout the renovation in order to retain a sense of the property’s original character. This includes the beautiful historic ballroom which has been granted a new lease of life in what is now the student lounge.
The building houses a range of individual studios to four-bedroom en-suites and as the original high ceilings in the building have been preserved it means that many student rooms even benefit from mezzanine levels. All rooms have also been fitted with a filter to regulate the air and remove pollution. Very different to my room which had a single window that was constantly covered in condensation and mould. I mean just look at the light pouring in through those enormous floor-to-ceiling windows.
As if the amazing design of this accommodation wasn’t enough, the lucky students also benefit from an array of exclusive onsite facilities and services comparable to those on offer in only the most high-end hotels. A 24-hour concierge team is on hand to help with anything they may need and there is even a ‘cold room’ which will take delivery of the students’ online food shopping, even if they are not home to receive it. Say what? What happened to traipsing down to the local Morrisons and nicking a trolley to get your weekly food shop home?
But that is not even the start of it. There is a private gym with a variety of classes, a games room and an onsite cinema, complete with free Netflix, as well as an in-house bar and VIP lounge, including ice machines and a sound system. Free tea and coffee facilities are accessible to all students, 24-hours a day no less. There is also high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi throughout and secure electronic door entry.
The previous life of the building has gifted Plummer House with a unique blend of striking Edwardian features with new sleek modernised interiors. Add to that the all-inclusive service offered by Collegiate AC residences and students can live in an environment where they are both social and safe. We are thrilled to be able to offer students a luxurious living experience in the thriving city of Newcastle.
Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC
I’m actually amazed that today’s student’s have access to such luxurious accommodation when my generation were totally slumming it in our damp and dingy digs. When I first saw this new development it made me wonder if I would have done better at Uni had I lived in such comfort and opulence. But perhaps I would have been distracted by all the facilities and conveniences on offer. Who knows? I do wonder though what these students will aspire to when they leave their designer student accommodation. I mean it doesn’t get much better than this, does it? And all from £20 per day!
What do you guys reckon? What was your student accommodation like? Did you live in the lap of luxury or were you slumming it? Do share!
What a great space! Very luxurious. When designing a room, it is of great importance to ensure the flooring is laid smoothly so the design on top has maximum affect.