Queen’s University Belfast officially opened the doors of its new 16-floor student accommodation on Dublin Road today.
Weavers’ Hall comprises 459 student bedrooms, social spaces including a coffee bar and cinema room, study areas, a ground floor courtyard create a vibrant community atmosphere and furnished terraces offer panoramic views of Belfast’s skyline on the higher floors.
Queen’s President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said of the opening:
“Accommodation can add so much to the student experience and Weavers’ Hall is perfectly located for Queen’s students to make the most of this vibrant city. It provides a welcoming, modern environment where they can live, study, build friendships and feel part of this incredible University community as they journey through their education.
“I wish to congratulate all colleagues and partners whose hard work, dedication and collaboration have made this milestone opening possible and look forward to its current and future residents enriching our campus life.”
The latest construction was delivered by GRAHAM, in partnership with a wide specialist supply chain and is a short walk from Belfast’s major transport hub, Grand Central Station, and the University’s main campus.
The build has transformed the landscape of Dublin Road and has already acted as a powerful catalyst for economic regeneration in inner south Belfast and the once ‘Golden Mile’.
Hana Tom, a Business Information Technology student from India who has taken up residence in the new state-of-the-art build said:
“What really drew me to Belfast was that it’s a small city but still has a lively atmosphere offering a great balance. The people are very welcoming, which made it easy to adapt, and the cost of living is much more reasonable compared to many other cities across the UK.
“Weavers’ Hall has made settling in really easy. The accommodation is modern and comfortable, and I’ve met so many new people through social events organised by Queen’s Residential Life team as well as the communal spaces which encourage plenty of interaction between students.”
The new Passivhaus-certified student accommodation is the first of its kind in Belfast and the largest Passivhaus building on the island of Ireland. The eco-friendly design uses minimal energy for heating and cooling reducing emissions.
Ciaran Leahy, Contracts Director from leading construction firm GRAHAM said:
“Weavers’ Hall shows what early contractor involvement can achieve on a technically demanding building. Working as one team from the outset, we’ve brought a 16-storey Passivhaus scheme from brief to site in just a year, while giving Queen’s certainty on cost and programme.
“The Passivhaus approach means the University will benefit from significantly lower operating costs and the students will benefit from excellent air quality and stable indoor temperatures in a high-quality environment that is both sustainable and enjoyable to live in.
“The methods we developed here, from the external airtight membrane to the semi-centralised ventilation strategy, give us a blueprint for the next generation of sustainable buildings across the UK and Ireland. We wish all the students who will call Weavers’ Hall home every success and happiness as they begin this exciting new chapter.”