A JOINT venture between Evans Property Group and the University of York has opened Constantine College as the third phase of a £100 million investment to create three new colleges is completed.

The £36 million Constantine College will accommodate 621 students and tutors over eight blocks on the Heslington East campus.

A new 7,500 sq ft amenity hub ‘The Forum’ contains social space, meeting rooms and laundry facilities and has also been unveiled in time for the new term.

Evans Property Group on behalf of the joint venture finished work ahead of schedule to enable tutors to move into Constantine College this weekend. The building will is expected to be fully occupied by the end of this month.

Constantine College is the third college at the 161 acre Heslington East campus extension following construction of Goodricke College in 2009 and Langwith College, which the join venture completed in 2012.

The colleges offer in total 2000 beds and have an end value of around £100 million.

Constantine College was partly funded under a long-term funding facility with Aviva Commercial Finance.

James Pitt, development director of Evans Property Group, said: “We have worked successfully in partnership with the University of York for several years as part of a long-term commitment to providing the best possible accommodation and facilities at this incredible campus.

" Constantine College follows the successful development of the earlier phases and we are delighted to have finished ahead of schedule. We are incredibly proud to have contributed to what is undoubtedly one of the North’s most outstanding educational facilities.”

The development is part of the University’s plans to double its physical size through a £750 million campus extension on Heslington East.

Dr Jane Grenville, the University of York's deputy-vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor for students, said: “The University of York has a worldwide reputation for the excellence in research, and the quality of teaching.

Equally central to our success are the colleges, so much more than halls of residence. They create vibrant social and learning communities for students of all disciplines and in every year of their study.

"We are delighted to have worked so effectively with Evans to deliver such a wonderful set of buildings on time and within budget, in which the new college can thrive.”