All rooms at Stamford Street Apartments (SSA) have now been refurbished, with full completion of the project set for September 2025.
What was done?
The 17-stage process to retrofit SSA began in May 2021. The works have transformed 557 bedrooms and bathrooms, along with 90 kitchens and communal areas.
The flats were stripped of their existing amenities and décor, before being rewired and plumbed. The bedrooms were given a new design with the aim of creating a ‘designer home from home study environment’. They were furnished with bespoke furniture, including new LED lighting and ‘floating floor’ flooring.
The gym, common room, parcel room, bin store and wellness area were also renovated. A former bike store was transformed into ‘The Lounge‘, a communal space that combines ‘study nooks’ and ‘leisure zones’. It even features a PlayStation setup and arcade machine.
In addition to the refurbishment of the existing flats and facilities, several new, self-contained studio flats were added to the accommodation. These will cost £392 per week in 2025/26.
What made the refurbishment sustainable?
Better Green Living, a division of Better Green Group, was responsible for the refurbishment. They specialise in sustainable construction within the education and commercial sectors. As such, several measures were put in place to make the project as sustainable as possible.
A zero-landfill policy was implemented. This meant that all materials used were recycled or reused elsewhere at KCL. Likewise, the refurbishment made use of existing furniture and appliances where possible.
All communal kitchens were fitted with low-energy appliances, including hob watches. These ensure that hobs turn off automatically after 20 minutes of non-usage.
Will students pay more to stay at SSA?
In short, yes. The price of a room before refurbishment was significantly cheaper. For example, students currently entering their third year would’ve paid £215 per week for a non-refurbished ensuite in their first year. Some incoming fourth-year students may recall paying even less, at £204 per week.
However, throughout the renovations, the cost of a refurbished ensuite itself has risen significantly. In 2022/23, it was £230. This rose to £250 in 2023/24, £263 in 2024/25 and will increase even further to £290 per week in 2025/26. For non-KAAS (King’s Affordable Accommodation Scheme) students, this is now the minimum they will pay if they wish to stay at SSA.
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