East Slope, University of Sussex

The £179 million student accommodation development provides 2,113 high-quality student bedrooms, brought to life through the combined engineering expertise of teams from across Balfour Beatty. 

A diverse mix of modern accommodation

The development comprises 27 new buildings, offering a range of accommodation options to meet the financial, social and lifestyle needs of students.

We delivered a mixture of three to six storey cluster flats and three to four storey town houses. Student experience is further enhanced through mixed-use facilities, including a dedicated student services hub and retail spaces, helping to create a vibrant and inclusive campus environment.

A long-term investment partner

As part of our contract, Balfour Beatty is the University’s long-term investment partner, supporting a wider £500 million campus investment programme. Through a 50-year lease and lease-back agreement with full transfer of risk, we have invested 80% of the project equity, demonstrating our commitment to delivering sustainable, long-term infrastructure solutions that benefit both students and the institution.

A seamless, integrated delivery team

By combining our investment capability with engineering excellence from across the business, we achieved programme efficiencies and cost savings through a truly integrated approach to delivery.

Working collaboratively with the client’s appointed design team, we developed solutions with buildability at the forefront, while preserving the architectural vision of the scheme.

27

new buildings

2,113

beds

30,000

cubic metres of material removed to form the cutting

The expertise employed from across Balfour Beatty includes:

Overcoming challenges in the ground

Due to the steep slope of the site, a complex cut and fill exercise in ground made up of chalk saw over 30,000m3 of materials taken off site. We were able to find sustainable solutions to the waste that arose. We also managed all other earth and ground works including roads, retaining structures and superstructures to podium slabs.

Building services lead the way

The early installation of drainage and infrastructure services was critical to maintaining programme certainty, as buildings could only be constructed once these systems were in place.

Close collaboration between our engineering and mechanical & electrical teams ensured services were efficiently coordinated, enabling construction to progress safely and seamlessly across the site.

Financing, building and operating West Slope Residences

Following the success of delivering East Slope Residences for the University of Sussex, Balfour Beatty Investments has been appointed to design, build, finance and maintain the West Slope Residences under a 54-year contract with the University of Sussex.  

The project includes:

  • 1,899 student bedrooms

  • A new Health and Wellbeing Centre

  • Catering and retail facilities

Balfour Beatty Investments is contributing £32 million, representing 81% of the project equity, with the University of Sussex acting as co-investor for the remaining 19%.

Construction is now underway, with the accommodation scheduled to open in time for the 2026/27 academic year.