Bradford College: Grand Grade II listed building to become 'most luxurious student accommodation anywhere in the world'

The conversion of one of Bradford’s grandest buildings will create the “most luxurious on-campus accommodation anywhere in the world” – according to its developers.

The Grade II listed Old Building on Great Horton Road dates back to the 1830s and was part of Bradford College before the development of the neighbouring David Hockney building left it surplus to requirements.

Last year a planning application to convert the building into 190 apartments was approved by Bradford Council.

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At the time the building, sandwiched between Bradford College and the University of Bradford, was being used by the NHS as a Covid 19 vaccination centre.

The former Bradford College site which is going to be transformed into student accomadation aimed at over seas students attending the universityThe former Bradford College site which is going to be transformed into student accomadation aimed at over seas students attending the university
The former Bradford College site which is going to be transformed into student accomadation aimed at over seas students attending the university

But with the NHS no longer needing the building, work to begin the residential conversion is now imminent, and is expected to cost between £16 million and £18 million.

Although the development will not be student only accommodation, the developers behind the scheme believe the location means it will be popular with foreign students – a sizeable chunk of the University of Bradford’s intake.

Citywide Developments, the company behind the plans, believes the one, two and three bedroom apartments will also be popular with lecturers and city centre workers.

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The Local Democracy Reporting Service were recently shown round the building before the work started.

The former Bradford College site which is going to be transformed into student accomadation aimed at over seas students attending the universityThe former Bradford College site which is going to be transformed into student accomadation aimed at over seas students attending the university
The former Bradford College site which is going to be transformed into student accomadation aimed at over seas students attending the university

Many of the building’s grander features will be retained as part of the conversion into apartments.

These include a grand theatre room that will be retained and restored.

The room will be let out for social events and meetings.

Another room that will be restored and retained is the building’s Victorian lecture theatre.

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Other features that will remain include a huge marble commemoration tablet featuring names of former college governors including Edward Salt.

Aurangzeb Iqbal of Citywide Developments said: “We deliberately went for one, two and three bed apartments. Foreign students often have a lot of money, and their families to have a fantastic experience while they are studying.

“We want them to go back and tell people ‘You’ve got to go to Bradford.’”

Despite the size of the building, Mr Iqbal said it is often ignored by the people of Bradford.

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The works will include lighting up the building from the outside to better show off the architecture.

He said: “At one point there were more Rolls Royce’s in Bradford than London. We want to bring that luxury back to Bradford, and we believe that will bring more investment.”

Referring to the poor-quality conversions that have blighted Bradford city centre in recent years, he added: “We could have quickly knocked up 450 student flats, but what is the point in that? We thought it would be much better to put up something luxurious. We wanted luxurious apartments. This will be one of the biggest building regeneration projects in Bradford for a long time.”

The Old Building is opposite another Bradford landmark that is soon to be converted. Last year after several attempts a planning application to turn the Grove Library – another former Bradford College building, into a city centre branch of restaurant chain LaLas, was approved.