The University is a catalyst for a new pioneering knowledge and business hub in London.
Sheffield Hallam University’s commitment adds to the momentum generated by the recent international investment into the first phase of new homes.
Sheffield Hallam University will open its first satellite campus outside of Sheffield in Brent Cross Town, the 180-acre, £8Bn new park town in London. The University is another piece of Brent Cross Town’s transformative 3 million sq ft commercial district of academic organisations, major corporations, global innovators, start-ups and scale-ups and will bring forward the seventh major building in the first phase of the Brent Cross Town Development.
Sheffield Hallam University’s commitment to Brent Cross Town follows the recent announcement of the £600m partnership with Invesco Real Estate, acting on behalf of a US separate account client, to deliver four buildings, totalling c. 800 sale and build to rent homes overlooking the recently opened Claremont Park. Leading provider of student accommodation, Fusion Students, is also underway with 662 high quality private student rooms in a dedicated new building. This significant momentum also includes the forthcoming Brent Cross West station and several new public squares.
The completed Brent Cross Town development will be a 15-minute community and is set to become one of the largest net zero developments in the UK, featuring 50-acres of parks and playing fields, 6,700 new homes and 3 million sq ft of offices along with retail, leisure and schools.
Related Argent and Barnet Council, the joint venture delivering Brent Cross Town, selected Sheffield Hallam to become the higher education partner at the development because of its strong emphasis on health and wellbeing and its award-winning teaching, learning and research. The University’s proven track record in supporting the long-term economic sustainability of its region also aligns with Brent Cross Town’s community-first approach and Barnet Council’s vision for the borough’s growth.
As a University that values its place in the community, the focus will be on recruitment of local students, with a significant proportion expected to be from the surrounding area. This is a key driver of social mobility and follows the same strategy as in Sheffield where 40% of the university’s students come from within a 25-mile radius. The University is scheduled to open from 2025/26, with the aim of reaching a target of up to 5,000 students by 2030.
Sheffield Hallam University will occupy circa 110,000 sq ft across the lower 6 floors of the first commercial building at Brent Cross Town which recently obtained full planning approval. The building totals c. 240,000 sq ft, has a low-carbon hybrid timber and concrete structure and benefits from outstanding views to the west. The University will have its own dedicated entrance plus cycling and shower facilities to support sustainable transport options for staff and students. Its occupation will also see key environmental and social sustainability commitments from both landlord and occupier, including renewable energy use and adoption of Brent Cross Town’s sitewide district heating network, the targeting of a 4-star NABERS performance certification, the payment of the London Living Wage and adoption of Brent Cross Town’s Flourishing playbook, a comprehensive new wellbeing framework.
Working closely with Related Argent, Sheffield Hallam University will help to shape the town centre as a new knowledge and innovation hub that will encourage a values-based business ecosystem for organisations seeking proximity to fellow innovators, world-class wellbeing spaces and amenities and the chance to become part of a diverse, creative community.
Brent Cross Town is strategically located for Sheffield Hallam University to establish a London satellite campus. It has direct access to both the King’s Cross – Euston Knowledge Quarter, which is just 12 minutes away via the new Brent Cross West station, and the Oxford-Cambridge Arc to the north of London. Students will have exceptional access to higher education facilities, innovative businesses and a destination that has pledged to achieve net zero carbon by 2030 at the latest.
Sheffield Hallam University will focus its degree-course offering at Brent Cross Town on the subject areas for which the university is renowned, including health and wellbeing, business, finance, management, digital and technological skills. The University will also conduct extensive local research to tailor its course offering to ensure it meets the needs and aspirations of those living in and around the wider community of Brent Cross Town.
Nick Searl, Partner at Related Argent, added: “We are delighted to be welcoming Sheffield Hallam University to Brent Cross Town. With its excellent connectivity, commitment to wellness and net zero carbon, plus its 15-minute town centre concept, it makes an ideal location for them to grow their community.
The University’s commitment is a milestone in the broader evolution of the development, which is gaining significant momentum and attracting an ever-widening group of partners who believe in what we are doing and want to be part of that journey.”
Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Chris Husbands, said: “It is clear that our values and commitment to transforming lives are shared by the vision and partners behind the Brent Cross Town development.
“This exciting development provides Sheffield Hallam with an outstanding opportunity. It builds on our strengths, will allow us to develop wider relationships, and expand our profile as focused on applying knowledge. It will offer extensive benefits for our existing university community.
“We are very much looking forward to working with the Brent Cross Town partners and the local community to create a new knowledge hub, which will be an asset that showcases our award-winning applied approach to teaching, learning and research at the heart of Brent Cross Town.”
Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Barry Rawlings said: “We welcome this opportunity for residents to access first class higher education at Brent Cross Town with an award-winning, nationally recognised university that has a strong record of supporting its local community. This is part of our vision, as a dynamic and innovative borough, to put communities at the heart of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted that Sheffield Hallam University will be opening its first satellite campus in Brent Cross Town, bringing a world-class educational hub, employment opportunities and new housing to the area.
“This partnership between Sheffield Hallam University, Brent Cross Town and other partners demonstrates what can be achieved when different sectors come together to invest into London’s future and help to build a better, more sustainable and more prosperous city for everyone.”
Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire Mayor, said “This is really exciting news for both Sheffield Hallam and our region.
“A Sheffield Hallam campus in London will extend not only the University’s but South Yorkshire’s reach and reputation. It will enable new connections and relationships with business, industry and public services, as well as exciting new opportunities for students and research.
“Like the rest of South Yorkshire, Sheffield Hallam University has ambitious plans for the future.
“I look forward to working with and supporting Sheffield Hallam as they move forward with this exciting project.”
Brent Cross Town is a rapidly growing town centre. The scheme has already celebrated the opening of 4.5-acres Claremont Park and is on site with construction of new homes and retail and the recent launch of the first residential buildings. The retail offer has already started to evolve with the recent opening of the new shops on Claremont Way including Karma Bread Bakehouse, Cricklewood Coffee Roasters and Happy Face Pizza which complement Spruce and Larch café which is located in the nearby Visitor Pavilion.