Queen’s University Belfast Set to Be Demolished to Make Room for More Student Accommodation.
By Katie McShane
In an announcement claiming, “You can never have too much student accommodation”, Queen’s University declared the University will be demolished to make way for a new student flat development scheme. Feeling there might be a need for even more student accommodation in Queens Quarter, a decision has been made by the University and housing consultants that QUB will be demolished and remodelled into student flats.
The work is set to break ground in 2028 and will cost an estimated 5 billion, the student union bar is set to increase pint prices in order to shoulder some of the cost. As for the 7,000 student rooms already built, a consultancy report stated, “let’s keep these good vibes going”. It is reported now that there is 2:1 ratio of rooms to student, something Queens Maths Department states “is a bit wasteful but should be grand”.
In a set of plans published just this week, the Lanyon building and PFC are to be turned into student halls surrounding a courtyard-esque garden, with the library being turned into a multi-story carpark to account for any parking issues. One spokesperson for the university said, “We are reaching a new era of student living. Gone are the days of box rooms and shared spaces. Elms Village 2 will be enriched with modern facilities and luxuries beyond description.
Both Ulster University and QUB have seen PHD numbers increase by 300% as recent grads cannot find flats or houses, so instead reapply as students. Builders state, “our halls are so good you’ll never want to leave!”. However, there is now also an increasing trend of DCU and UCD students in need of accommodation turning to Belfast as an option. The city’s vibrant display of empty flats is an oasis to the average Dublin student. As a result, the economy is booming, and the enterprise is busier than ever; however, there is a noted decrease in Belfast student satisfaction.
Students’ reaction to the news is yet to be recorded however the general consensus is as long as A-Level or Med students aren’t allowed in a twenty-foot radius then they’re happy enough.
