Wolverhampton university thanks partners who made campus a reality

Leaders at the University of Wolverhampton said they were “immensely grateful” to their partners after the keys to the main building were handed over.

The project has seen a total of £120 million invested to launch The School of Architecture and Built Environment on the former Springfield Brewery in the city.

University vice-chancellor Professor Geoff Layer, said: “The completion of work at our School of Architecture and the Built Environment is another milestone in the history of this iconic site.

"It is a significant moment for the university, but also for the city and region as a whole, which will have a major impact on education, skills and the economy.

“We are immensely grateful for the support of funders and partners for helping to make this vision for our region a reality.

"Since the purchase of the derelict site in 2014, we have worked with our partners to create a centre of excellence for construction and the built environment which will transform brownfield regeneration.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming our students to the site to start writing the next chapter in the history of Springfield.”

The project has been backed by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, European Regional Development Fund, the Government’s Growth Deals and the former Higher Education Funding Council for England.

It has been sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Wedge Group Galvanizing – with the university also teaming up with Wolverhampton Council.

The new building, designed by Associated Architects, will specialise in supporting in the construction industry – including civil engineering, building control, building services, facilities management and quantity surveying

It will provide space for nearly 1,100 existing students and 65 staff, with the number of students projected to grow to 1,600.