Unite Students opens new flagship London property ‘Stratford ONE’ – 18 September 2014

The Unite Group plc, the UK’s leading developer and manager of student accommodation, announces the opening of its new landmark London property ‘Stratford ONE’. The 28 storey building, directly adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London and Westfield Stratford Shopping Centre, is Unite’s largest London development project to date, and will be home to over 1,000 students.

The flagship property has been built to Unite’s very latest room specifications including LED lighting and 20 Mb Wi-Fi.  The accommodation is enhanced by a series of terraces and a roof top conservatory with panoramic views across London and the Olympic Park, as well as common areas and quiet study rooms which create more ways for students to study or socialise.

Stratford ONE is the first Olympic Legacy site to be completed, and has been built to the highest environmental standards.  The building has achieved a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) ‘Excellent’ rating for its commercial space and its sustainable features which include: combined heat and power heating, green/brown roof sections and storage space for up to 500 bicycles.

In keeping with Unite’s existing ‘Home for Success’ programme, Stratford ONE provides students with an environment in which to be successful, be that academic achievement, personal growth or preparing for the world of work.

The opening of Stratford ONE will also contribute to the continued legacy of the 2012 Olympics by supporting the regeneration of the Stratford area and bringing a new, vibrant community of students to the area. Unite is set to continue its contribution to this legacy further with its Angel Lane property situated nearby, which is due to open in 2015.

Mark Allan, Chief Executive of Unite Students, commented:

“We’re very proud to open Stratford ONE, which with over 900 rooms and 1000 bed spaces, is our largest London development to date. The facilities within Stratford ONE have our ‘Home for Success’ initiative at its heart; providing students with an environment in which to succeed. We’re also proud to be continuing the Olympic legacy by supporting the regeneration of Stratford and bringing a new community of students into the area.”

Unite also welcomes Aimee Willmott, a member of the UK swimming team in the 2012 Olympics, silver medallist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and one of the UK’s up and coming swimming stars, as one of its first residents in Stratford ONE. Aimee, who is studying at the University of East London, and training at the Olympic Park, has decided to base herself in Stratford ONE to optimise her studying and training as she prepares for the 2016 Olympic Games. 

Aimee Willmott commented:

“Stratford ONE is an incredible building, in the perfect location for me. Being so close to the Olympic Park and UEL campus will allow me to be part of the wider student experience whilst in intensive training in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

It is really important that I have a comfortable space to relax and recover in when I am not training or studying, and Stratford ONE provides an environment that I am sure I will enjoy being in and will support my success.”

Stratford ONE will also help to alleviate local pressure on housing; Unite [estimates] that each 400 bed student accommodation complex frees up to 100 family homes.

The property is located in the heart of East London, and has excellent transport links with the Stratford transport interchange close by. Central London is just 15 minutes away, and there are services to Queen Mary University of London, Central London university campuses and neighbouring boroughs.

Neale Coleman, Mayoral Adviser on Tottenham and Deputy Chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said:

“I am delighted to see Stratford One open for its new intake of students, marking yet another milestone in the area’s regeneration and proving Unite’s foresight in being one of the first to invest in the area. The students will not only have excellent accommodation but access to some of the very best parklands and sporting facilities in the world.”