First look at new student apartments as showflat is unveiled

l-to-r: Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham; Gordon McCartin, construction manager, Willmott Dixon; Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for University Centre Shrewsbury.

People have been given a glimpse of what the apartments that will house students at the new University Centre Shrewsbury will be like, after a ‘showflat’ was unveiled in the town centre today (Friday 3 July 2015).

The mock-up of one of the apartments that are being constructed in Mardol House can be seen in an empty shop premises on Shoplatch – underneath Shrewsbury Market Hall.

Now, passers-by and prospective University Centre Shrewsbury students are being invited to see the apartment for themselves.

Mardol House is currently being converted into a modern hall of residence for 86 students. Work is being carried out for Shropshire Council by contractor Willmott Dixon.

Work is on schedule to be completed by mid-September, ready to welcome University Centre Shrewsbury’s first undergraduates.

The new accommodation will breathe life back into one of Shrewsbury’s most prominent town centre buildings. The space, formerly occupied by the county magistrates court and Inland Revenue offices, has been empty for up to 15 years.

The accommodation, covering an area of 2,800 sq m (28,000 sq ft), consists of 22 studio apartments with kitchenettes, 54 en suite apartments, four apartments adapted for students with disabilities, and six residential apartments for postgraduate students.

It will also include: the renovation of a former caretaker’s flat on the top floor as a two-bedroom apartment for a resident tutor; a laundrette; a new ground-floor entrance hall and marketing suite with new stairs; a new lift-shaft; and two internal fire escapes.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for University Centre Shrewsbury and Shrewsbury BID, said:

“Work to convert Mardol House into a halls of residence is progressing really well, but we wanted people to be able to see now what one of the new student apartments will look like. Being able to see one of the apartments will be of great interest to existing and prospective applicants, as well as to local people – and I’m sure everyone will be impressed by what they see.”

Willmott Dixon has also been giving tours of the building to groups including Telford College students, local shopkeepers and traders from the adjoining Market Hall.