CLEGG APPOINTED TO MULTI-MILLION-POUND REFURBISHMENT OF HISTORIC UNIVERSITY HALL

STUDENTS in Nottingham will benefit from high-quality, sustainable accommodation as early as next year, as Clegg Construction begins a refurbishment project at the historic Florence Boot Hall.

The University of Nottingham hall of residence, which date back to 1928, was the first female hall at the university and was founded by businesswoman and philanthropist, Florence Boot - wife of Jesse Boot. As well as assisting her husband in the running of Boots chemist, a household name that still thrives today, Florence was a keen campaigner for the right of women to access higher education. 

Located on University Park campus, the 200-bed accommodation is undergoing a £10m revival to preserve the building’s heritage for future generations – with Clegg Construction appointed by the university as principal contractor for the build.

Sam Parker, contracts manager at Clegg Construction, said: “This scheme is a real honour for Clegg Construction to be a part of, restoring a historic piece of architecture with such a poignant legacy and ensuring its future using greener installations. The hall will have special significance for university students who arrive here and the building itself will benefit from additional bed-space, original and rejuvenated features, and improved heating and lighting.”

Initial works have already started to create the high-quality, low energy accommodation. With triple glazed windows set to be fitted, it has been designed to be in keeping with the external original design of the building.

Energy-efficient air-source heat pumps will be installed, and improved levels of thermal performance will be achieved by internally insulating external walls. The slate roof will be overhauled and there will be LED lighting throughout the residence, further reducing the carbon footprint of the building.

Professor Todd Landman, pro-vice chancellor for the faculty of social sciences at the University of Nottingham, said: "We are delighted to commence the refurbishment of our heritage student accommodation Florence Boot Hall. The project team has engaged in a meticulous planning process with wide consultation across the university community in line with our Estates Development Framework, our sustainability commitments, and our commitment to our students. The newly refurbished hall will offer our students accessible, comfortable, digitally enabled, and modernised accommodation that also embraces the history and tradition of the hall."

Also involved in the project is award-winning architects, Maber, project management and employers agent services firm AA Projects, WT Partnerships offering quantity surveying, Curtins Consulting as structural engineers and M&E consultancy, CPW.

The build is due to be completed by the start of the September 2022 academic year, ready for the 2022/23 student intake.