Student accommodation in Tauranga city centre is set to grow next year with the opening of a new $20 million purpose-built facility.

The four-storey complex on Selwyn Street, which will be made up of 90 fully-furnished studio rooms, is located across the road from the University of Waikato campus.

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Alister Jones says having university-managed accommodation in the CBD brings Tauranga another step closer to being a 'genuine university city”.

'It's about creating a university ecosystem,” says Alister, 'and dedicated accommodation is a key part of that.

'Our new Selwyn Street accommodation is a start that we need to keep building on. It is important for us to continue to work with the city to make Tauranga a truly dynamic place.”

The complex will offer self-catered living for 93 students, with studios complete with en-suite bathrooms and mini fridges. Three larger studio rooms will accommodate students with accessibility needs.

Internet, power and water is included in the weekly rent, while each level has a shared kitchenette and social space. Communal kitchen, dining, laundry facilities are located on the basement level along with storage areas, bike racks and a group study space.

For added peace of mind, there will be one residential assistant for every 32 students and a residential manager will live on-site in separate accommodation.

John McColl, managing director of Quintex Properties which developed the facility, says he wanted to ensure Tauranga students had modern, affordable and accessible accommodation options.

'Student residences such as these are a core component in the makeup of a tertiary campus and will strengthen student life here,” says John.

'This building is a substantial investment in the city's CBD and will not only benefit the tertiary precinct, but also the wider community in helping strengthen this period of revitalisation currently underway in the CBD.”

A range of scholarships are available that can further contribute to accommodation costs. School leavers may be eligible to apply for a Tauranga Campus Residential Scholarship that would reduce the weekly rent to $150 for the 2022 academic year.

To celebrate the opening of the new accommodation, the University has subsidised the cost for 2022.

Applications for Selwyn Street accommodation in Tauranga open on August 1, 2021. For more information visit: www.waikato.ac.nz