Morgan Sindall Construction’s London business has celebrated the start of refurbishment and extension works at the University of Westminster’s 29 Marylebone Road, as it transforms the site into an enterprise centre.
Procured through the PAGABO framework, the project will see the building on Luxborough Street remodelled and roof extended to provide internal and external terrace floor space. The new works will also accommodate a lift to the rear of the building, from the lower ground up to the fifth floor.
Morgan Sindall marked the start of work on site on March 27, with Lynne Berry, the Chair of our Court of Governors at the University of Westminster, Chief Executive at Baker Street Quarter Penny Alexander, and Richard Dobson, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction’s London business, all in attendance before Professor Peter Bonfield, Vice Chancellor and President at the University of Westminster ceremonially broke the ground.
The nine-story building is set to become the UK’s most inclusive centre for employability and enterprise, with accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability at its heart, bridging the gap between education and the business world. Located just across the road from the University’s Marylebone Campus, the building will bring employers, local residents and the University’s communities under one roof. Open to Westminster students, alumni and the wider community, the new centre will provide students with access to inspirational employer-led events and activities as well as training and networking opportunities for employers and local organisations.
The building will feature creative spaces to support collaboration and engagement with local businesses as well as event and exhibition spaces to showcase student enterprise and achievements. It will also host an array of state-of-the-art training facilities, including a digital studio and maker space.
In line with Morgan Sindall Construction’s Intelligent Solutions approach, the project team are utilising Morgan Sindall’s own carbon calculation tool CarboniCa to monitor and reduce operational carbon on the development. To further the developments sustainability credentials, the project includes bird and bat boxes, plus a green roof for the eighth floor.
Richard Dobson, Morgan Sindall Construction’s area director for London, said: “It is great to see work underway at 29 Marylebone Road and to celebrate alongside the University of Westminster for what promises to be a much-needed retrofit project. The project team has a strong track record when it comes to breathing new life into pre-existing buildings, as it is the most sustainable way to develop buildings.
“At Morgan Sindall, we understand the important need to deliver educational estates that inspire and motivate its students. The new centre will provide a welcoming, inspiring location for users, but also elevate the surrounding streetscape to benefit the wider community.”
Peter Bonfield, University of Westminster Vice Chancellor and President said: “It is super to have broken ground, beginning the refurbishment of the new employability hub at 29 Marylebone Road that will support our students and many from our local and wider London communities. The needs of employers are changing rapidly and this new centre will be the place where businesses can engage with our wonderful and diverse students to help them find the talent they need. The real strength of this project is the strong partnerships we have built with our local community groups, our friends and our partners who share our ambitions for this centre.”
Penny Alexander, Chief Executive of Baker Street Quarter, said: “The prospect of having a facility in the area focused on forging and developing links between local businesses, students and the wider community is really exciting. We can see how this foster mutually beneficial collaborations and experiences. Many of our member businesses are keen to provide opportunities and share their experience and skills with the students. Local businesses also stand to benefit greatly from access to local talent, training and courses, new thinking, and digital facilities. We are very much looking forward to continuing to work with the University to support their vision for the space.”
