The University of Gloucestershire has released new images for its plans to transform a former Debenhams department store into its new city campus.
The university has released new CGI impressions of the proposed facility in King’s Square in Gloucester, for which it has submitted a planning application.
The academic institution is hoping to redevelop the building into a learning space for its staff and students.
Under the plans, staff and students – mainly from the school of health and social care – will begin accessing teaching facilities from September next year, on parts of the ground floor, lower-ground floor and first floor of the building.
Among the facilities will be learning spaces equipped with the latest technology; a university library; student help zones; and a dedicated faith space.
The students’ union has been involved in co-designing its headquarters on the ground floor. On the lower-ground floor a large lecture theatre will also act as a conferencing and exhibition space.
A public access café with a frontage on King’s Square is set to open during the first phase of development, which it hopes to open in September 2023.
The university has previously said it has been in discussions with Gloucester City Council about a new public library on the ground floor.
The organisation said while subject to change as the project moves forward the new images developed by ADP Architecture provided “an early insight” into its plans for 1930s art deco Debenhams building - located in Gloucester City Conservation Area.
Stephen Marston, vice-chancellor at the University of Gloucestershire, said: “We’re retaining and renovating the existing façade and will enhance the character of the building by adding sympathetic modern interventions, which will add the ‘wow’ factor externally and internally.
“We know how important this building is to people in the city, holding a wealth of memories for them, and we’re keen not only to retain many of the art deco features, but to make more of them.”
Contractor Morgan Sindall Group was recently appointed to the project, which is being managed by Ridge and Partners LLP. ADP Architecture’s design team has been working with university staff and students to finalise the phase one plans.
Natalia Lopez, associate director at ADP Architecture, said: “ADP is delighted to be involved in such a significant project for the University of Gloucestershire that sees the historic, former Debenham’s building in the heart of Gloucester city centre, refurbished and revitalised to provide a connected, world-class new home with a focus on becoming a place for the community, engagement and education.”
A public consultation on the university’s plans for the city campus was recently extended after Gloucester City Council reported a “cyber incident” had affected its online services, including how it registers and determines applications.
Debenhams’ former King’s Square store was one of 124 to close, after the 242-year-old brand was bought by online fashion retailer Boohoo in a £55m deal in January 2021.
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