Imperial has celebrated the completion of structural building work at its new student halls with a topping out ceremony at the site in North Acton.

The development at One Victoria Road, due to open in October 2015, will eventually become home to 693 undergraduate students. The ceremony on Thursday 5 June celebrated the completion of the highest point of the buildings’ structure with President & Rector Sir Keith O’Nions burying a yew tree sprig on top of the tallest tower to mark the occasion.

Sir Keith O'Nions at the ceremony

Speaking at the Ceremony Sir Keith O’Nions said: “One Victoria Road is an important milestone in the development of accommodation for Imperial students. It builds on Imperial’s presence in this part of the city, already established with our 25 acre Imperial West Campus, putting the College at the forefront of development in North West London.

“I would like to express enormous thanks to everyone who has worked so hard and so well to bring us to this point.”

In addition to the residential accommodation the site will also offer a range of communal spaces and facilities spread across the development’s three buildings including a coffee shop, bar and common room as well as an onsite gym. The College is now working closely with Imperial College Union and students to maximise student input in shaping the space inside the development and the facilities on offer.

Marissa Lewis, Imperial College Union’s Deputy President (Welfare) said: "Now that One Victoria Road is built we’re going to be working closely with the College to make sure students are consulted on how the facilities and communal spaces on the site are developed.

“With nearly 700 Imperial students living on the site One Victoria Road will become a major centre for students beyond the South Kensington Campus. With so many students on the site, it's vital that student views help shape any plans for the development to make sure residents get the most out of the buildings and their facilities when they open next year.”

The One Victoria Road site

One Victoria Road sits at the heart of a new student community in North Acton - already home to around 700 students at the University of the Arts’ flagship hall or residence 'The Costume Store' as well as over 200 students from institutions across London living in the nearby student scheme 'The Lyra'.

The College development marks a continued investment in the student residential experience at Imperial and represents the largest expansion in Imperial’s undergraduate halls in a generation. It follows the Eastside and Southside redevelopment in 2010 and the opening of postgraduate accomodation Griffon Studios in 2011 and Wood Lane Studios in 2012.

One Victoria Road topping out ceremony

rector

Simon Harding-Roots, Imperial's Chief Operations Officer said: “This building is a key investment in our residential portfolio at Imperial. These new halls increase the range of accommodation we are able to offer to students and will allow us to continue guaranteeing accommodation to all first years on their arrival at the College.

“At One Victoria Road we’re looking to build a student community, not just a hall of residence and now the building’s structure is completed we will continue working to make that happen.”