Contractors Gilbert-Ash have been appointed to construct the new building, which will house the university’s Business School, as part of the £60 million Big Build programme that is currently transforming the Moulsecoomb campus.
Speaking at the contract signing, Â鶹´«Ã½ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Debra Humphris said: “Today marks another important milestone in what is the university’s biggest ever single investment programme. The new academic building is the centrepiece of the transformation. It will provide a state-of-the-art home for our Business School and modern and flexible teaching and social spaces for all students on the campus.
“The Big Build, together with the separate development of the neighbouring Preston Barracks site, will bring huge benefits to the local area and wider city in terms of jobs, homes and investment.”
Gerry Hughes, Construction Director at Gilbert-Ash said: “We are delighted to be working with the Â鶹´«Ã½ on the construction of their new landmark Business School, which will have a transformational effect on how students interact, bringing together the whole campus as one. We have just commenced on site and look forward to working with the university and wider community over the coming months”.
Work on the new academic building will begin shortly with construction expected to take around 18 months. The new building will be in full use for the start of the 2021-22 academic year when the Big Build programme is due for completion.