Uni of Gloucestershire releases new images of campus progress at former Debenhams building

The University of Gloucestershire has released new images highlighting how work is progressing on its new City Campus development in the centre of Gloucester.

The external facades of the building are now taking shape with new windows installed on all sides. Many of the windows have been supplied by Crittall Windows – the same company that fitted the original windows for the Bon Marche store in the 1930s that later became Debenhams.  

The new windows are close replicas of the originals, but double glazed for energy efficiency. 

New glass lanterns have been fitted on the roof, to let light in through new atria that have been cut through each floor down to the basement. Picture windows will shortly be installed, creating a wall of glass on the façade looking out over Kings Square. As a result of these alterations, the building is once again filled with natural light. 

The installation of the new partitions, fittings and services is about to start. These will create the new spaces for teaching, research, social learning, staff offices and libraries, as well as a café, university library, city library, Students’ Union offices, and specialist facilities for the Health and Wellbeing Centre. 

The external stonework is being repaired and original tracery panels that will sit above the original shop windows on the Oxebode side are being restored, ready for installation.  

The replacement windows feature panels decorated in a darker colour to emulate the metal finish of the original design. They were painted white at some point, but will be restored to remain true to the building’s 1930s Art Deco heritage along the Oxbode facade.   

Morgan Sindall Construction, which has been awarded the main contract for the ambitious project, have faced significant challenges after uncovering many secrets of this 20,000mbuilding, not least the need to strip significant amounts of lead paint and to investigate archaeological remains as they are uncovered.  An update on the archaeological findings will be issued soon.

The strip-out and structural work has given the University and Morgan Sindall a much better understanding of the building, requiring many adjustments to the development schedule. But with that phase largely completed, the final phases are now being planned through to completion in June 2024.   

This will allow the University to start operating from the building next summer, with teaching commencing at the start of the new academic year in September 2024.   

The School of Health and Social care will be the first occupants of the building, along with Gloucestershire County Council’s new Gloucester Library and the new Health and Wellbeing Centre – a partnership project between the University and One Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board. 

University of Gloucestershire Vice-Chancellor, Stephen Marston, said: “People passing by will now be able to see the building coming back to life as the windows are installed and the stonework is cleaned. Inside, the space is also taking shape.   

“This has been a challenging project, re-purposing a complex and rather run-down old building to meet the University’s needs.  But we can now begin to see what a transformation of the building it will be, with original Art Deco facades restored, a striking glass wall on Kings Square, and inside, a fantastic environment for students and staff.   

“We are now just a year away from realising the vision of creating an exceptional new teaching campus, bringing new life and vibrancy to the heart of our city, and giving a powerful boost with our partners to the regeneration of the historic centre. 

“The level of interest in the project has been really heartening.  We’re very pleased to share these latest photos to update the wider community on how the work is progressing on what used to be their Debenhams and will in future be their City Campus.” 

Richard Fielding, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are delighted to be working on the transformation of this former department store into a city centre campus, whilst retaining the character and charm of the building."