The University of Leicester student housing project in the UK has reached financial close.

Engie has been awarded a GBP200 million (US$234 million) contract from the Freemens Common Village LLP, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) established to design, build, fund, manage and operate the project for University of Leicester, to oversee the delivery of the 1,164 new student homes across seven blocks, the refurbishment of a grade II listed building (to be used as office and study space), the construction of a 500-space multi-storey carpark and the creation of a new 9,000 m² teaching and learning centre.

The contract followed by a 50-year hard facilities management contract, which will support the day-to-day lives of the students by providing technical services, estates management and external cleaning for the new residences, as well enabling high-speed Wi-Fi and IT services to ensure the best experience for occupants. ENGIE will also deliver lifecycle management to the residences, which incorporates infrastructure replacement right through to internal components.

A key element in the design of the new facilities is energy efficiency. The overall scheme will incorporate a number of renewable and energy-saving technologies including solar panels, highly efficient centralized gas-fired Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and LED lighting will be installed.