What if these walls of Mount Pleasant Halls – Block G could talk? This is not just a building. It’s a hub of innovation and dreams in Cambridge. Mount Pleasant Halls isn’t just bricks and mortar. It is a carefully designed space for student life. Let’s dive into the story of this modern accommodation.
Back in 2013, Howard Ventures saw an opportunity here. They acquired Mount Pleasant House recognizing the need for quality student housing. It was near St Edmund’s College. They knew top students wanted well-located accommodation. This led to a partnership with Osborne. Together, they redeveloped the property. The goal was clear to create a high-quality student accommodation scheme. St Edmund’s College would be the primary user.
The old 1970s office block was demolished. In its place rose a modern complex. It features 272 en-suite bedrooms and studios. These have high-specification shared spaces. Legal & General later joined the project. They secured St Edmund’s College as a long-term tenant. Construction began in 2017. By August 2019, Mount Pleasant Halls was complete. The building was handed over to Legal & General and St Edmund’s College.
Mount Pleasant Halls cleverly optimizes space. There are 199 standard en-suite rooms. Each is at least 16.9sqm. There are also 73 studio flats with a minimum size of 23sqm. The shower rooms were built off-site as complete pods. Then they were craned into the building. This ensured a consistent high-quality finish. It also reduced waste and energy usage. Technology was a priority. Rooms facing the road have air handling and noise reduction units. This is important because of the location on a road intersection.
Student experience was key to the design. Clusters of eight en-suite rooms surround shared kitchens. These are fully equipped. They have hi-specification communal living areas. State-of-the-art security and cycle storage are provided. Mount Pleasant Halls is ideal for the modern student lifestyle.
The location of Mount Pleasant Halls is prominent. It is on Huntingdon Road. St Edmunds College is to the southwest. Murray Edwards Fitzwilliam and Churchill Colleges are to the west. Lucy Cavendish Westminster and Magdalene Colleges are further south. The site is broadly rectangular.
Living spaces include en-suite bedrooms in clusters. Eight rooms share kitchens and living areas. There are also studio bedrooms with kitchenettes. Every floor is accessible by lift. Communal facilities add to the convenience.
Mount Pleasant Halls includes its own laundrette and common room. Large indoor bike storage accommodates up to 300 bikes. Each block of rooms has a shared kitchen and common area. They include full cooking facilities and lockable food storage.
Mount Pleasant Halls stands as a testament to innovative design. It is a place where students of St Edmund’s College can thrive. The building supports their learning and experience. Mount Pleasant Halls is more than just accommodation. It’s a launchpad for future success.