Construction firm Beard has completed one of the biggest contracts in its history with a major redevelopment at St Hilda’s College in east Oxford.

The £20m Front of College project represents the largest revamp of the college in its history, having been completed to mark its 125th anniversary.

Described as ‘architecturally stunning’ by the Oxford University college, key aspects of the estate have been altered as part of the project, including the entrance, the street view and the riverside frontage.

The brief was to provide student accommodation (54 bedrooms), and to bring together key college administration functions into one place.

The crowning of the tower involved using aluminium gold leaves, mounted around a steel frame.

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The new accommodation is a key element in the redevelopment as it relieves the financial pressure for students of finding accommodation in the private rental market.

Dean Averies, director at Oxford-based Beard, said: “St Hilda’s has been a fantastic project for Beard to work on, especially as it marks a special anniversary for the college.”

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Neil Hyatt, Head of Buildings, St Hilda’s College, added: “Despite the challenges due to coronavirus, as promised, our study rooms were ready on time for the start of the academic year.”