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West Slope development: what’s in a name?
Posted on behalf of: Better Campus
Last updated: Friday, 21 March 2025
Views over West Slope neighbourhood – an artist’s impression of our new student accommodation
Find out what are the names of our new West Slope buildings
West Slope, the University’s most ambitious campus improvement project in recent years, will see the redevelopment of a significant part of our campus, creating new residential, learning, wellbeing and commercial spaces.
With the first of these new buildings opening next year, we are pleased to share our new West Slope building names.
More than just a name
Did you know that West Slope will see 22 new buildings rise across two neighbourhoods?
Park Village neighbourhood, at the centre of the development, will feature student accommodation and amenities centred around Sussex Lawns, and West Slope neighbourhood will offer a mix of single bedroom and family two-bedroom student accommodation.
In keeping with Sussex tradition, our new West Slope buildings will be named after local villages and towns, just like many of our existing facilities.
Park Village will be home to:
- Newick House: the first building to open, will be home to our new Health and Wellbeing Centre across its first three floors, offering University wellbeing services and NHS GP services. Student accommodation will be available on the top three floors of Newick House from September 2026.
- Saxby House: opening in September 2026, this student accommodation building will be home to the central West Slope accommodation reception and a laundrette. This U-shaped building will feature a green courtyard and an outdoor basketball court.
- Graffham House: opening in September 2026, and comprised of two buildings, Graffham House will be dedicated to student accommodation.
- Elmer House: another U-shaped building with a green courtyard, will have 268 bedspaces.
- Nyewood House: has space for a new, larger supermarket, a new café and laundry facilities, in addition to 228 student bedspaces.
West Slope neighbourhood will be home to:
- Henfield: comprised of six buildings, each with a green roof, Henfield will offer a mix of single-bedroom and two-bedroom family accommodation as well as a new children’s playground.
- Somerley: four buildings will be named Somerley and will offer 274 bedspaces.
- Buxted: in addition to six accommodation buildings, Buxted will feature a new Student Hub and laundrette. Two outdoor lifts will also make the gradient of West Slope easier to navigate.
Honouring local heritage
Our approach to naming extends beyond simply maintaining thematic consistency across campus.
Building strong ties with the local community has always been important to the University and this is one small way we can connect with the beautiful counties that surround us and foster a sense of belonging on campus.
By naming our spaces after local places, we want to celebrate our connection to the communities that surround us and honour our local heritage. It is an opportunity to show pride in our local identity as we continue to further positive relationships and partnerships between the University and our local communities.
Find out more
West Slope will enhance our campus, enabling us to offer students on-campus accommodation throughout their studies with teaching, learning and student support just minutes away.
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