New Residents, Same Historic Walls
Once a historic coaching inn, the former Three Tuns Hotel has been reimagined as a distinctive residence for Durham’s student community. Designed for Three Tuns Developments Ltd, the project restores and adapts the listed buildings while introducing new wings that sit naturally within Durham’s streetscape.
Overview
The Three Tuns site has been part of Durham’s story for centuries. A coaching inn stood here for hundreds of years, and by 1861, the Three Tuns Public House occupied two former 18th‑century townhouses. Over time, the hotel expanded and traded almost continuously until its closure in 2013. SPACE’s scheme fully restored, remodelled, and refurbished the Grade II listed structures and added three new linear blocks to provide high‑quality accommodation. The site spans the full block between Old Elvet and New Elvet, from No.1 Old Elvet to the Police Station, incorporating historic buildings and later additions. Across 168 study bedrooms, studios, and social spaces, the scheme blends character with comfort. What was at one time a symbol of hospitality for travellers now offers students a calm and contemporary home within one of Durham’s most storied streets.
- Year 2019
- Location Durham
- Client Three Tun Developments Ltd
- Project Sectors Residential
Design Approach
The new blocks follow the lines of the medieval burgage plots that once occupied the site, varying in roof height to respect the massing of neighbouring buildings and maintain key views towards Durham’s World Heritage Site. Landscaped courtyards sit between the new blocks and the restored buildings, providing residents with light and green spaces. Inside, the design seamlessly blends original features with modern comforts, featuring heritage façades, new services, secure access, and thoughtfully arranged kitchens and social lounges. Each bedroom has access to shared or private cooking facilities, while cluster flats and studio units provide a choice for different living preferences.
“The proposals developed by the SPACE team showed a good mix of study rooms, studio rooms and individual, cluster and communal facilities, provided across the new and existing buildings on this sensitive site within the Conservation Area. By rationalising the layout of the new blocks, we felt that the architect maximised the quality of the internal and external spaces.”
Simon Williams
Director
Three Tuns Development Ltd
Result
Three Tuns Student Residences provide a secure and characterful home for students. The restoration of the historic hotel, combined with the new blocks, sensitively revives this particular part of the conservation area while setting a benchmark for student housing. Residents enjoy spacious rooms, modern kitchens, and landscaped courtyards. The scheme has helped to preserve a piece of the city’s social history while meeting contemporary needs.
People
Enabling an immersion into the city's historyFor students, the project offers more than a place to live. It provides a home designed to support both well-being and study. Within its restored walls, residents can immerse themselves in the history of their university city while enjoying the standards of a modern residence. The accommodation reflects Durham’s character while meeting the expectations of contemporary student life. It demonstrates how high-quality design can directly enhance day-to-day life for students, providing them with space to focus and grow during their time in Durham.
Planet
Carefully designed to complement the existing structureRetaining and refurbishing the historic structures reduced embodied carbon and preserved the character of the conservation area. New sections were carefully designed to complement the existing massing and ensure adequate daylight and ventilation in all rooms, thereby reducing reliance on artificial lighting and mechanical cooling. Materials were selected to respect the streetscape and provide durable, low-maintenance finishes for long-term use. By reusing and adapting an existing building, the project demonstrates how heritage conservation and contemporary student housing can align with environmental priorities.
Place
The reactivation of a historic landmarkSituated within the Durham City Centre Conservation Area, the Three Tuns site is moments from the River Wear and Durham Cathedral. Restoring the Grade II-listed hotel and introducing new blocks along medieval plot lines has reinforced the urban grain. The project also contributes to the wider regeneration of Durham by providing high‑quality accommodation within the city centre. Residents benefit from living near the city’s libraries, colleges, and amenities, and the local community gains from the reactivation of a historic landmark. For Three Tuns Developments, it’s an investment in student wellbeing; for Durham, it’s a cherished building reborn for a new generation.
Credits
- Photography Andrew Hepinstall
- Design Team David Coundon
