Coventry University will commit more investment to the development of its campus over the next five years than at any similar period in its history.
The University has spent around £150 million over the last five years on a range of new buildings, improvements and other property initiatives, but the next five years will see up to £430 million committed.
The unprecedented investment will include the development of the current Coventry City Council Civic Centre site, a second Engineering and Computing building, remodelling of the Arts & Humanities and Business & Law faculties, the completion of the new Science and Health Building for the Faculty of Heath & Life Sciences as well as student accommodation at Bishop Gate.
The investment will be showcased at the MIPIM property show in France next week, and the university’s Director of Estates, Rob Talliss, said the show can be key to delivering large projects.
“There is no question that the next five years will see the largest investment programme in the history of the university.
“The work will be spread between new builds but also a constant programme of improvements which not only upgrade our existing facilities but will also reflect the changing ways in which students want to work.
“The development of the Civic Centre will obviously be a major scheme for the city as well as the University and we are currently working up plans for that site.
“Our Computing and Engineering building has proved a huge success and we need to expand to keep driving forward our expertise in that field, and there is need for a new building.
“We are a city centre campus and believe that constantly improving our campus not only brings benefit to our students but also to the environment of the city centre which in turn will help attract further investment.”
The University took its plans to MIPIM when it was planning the first Engineering and Computing building along with its award-winning Hub building – both which have proved highly successful
Talliss added: “We know the programme is ambitious, but so is the university. We will be meeting developers and construction companies while we are at MIPIM, and those conversations may well lead to the partnerships that deliver these improvements. That is certainly what has happened in the past.
“It also helps underline the very can-do attitude in Coventry and Warwickshire which is helping drive forward the economy.”
The Coventry and Warwickshire MIPIM Partnership is made up of leading companies and organisations which support the area’s presence at the event.
MIPIM is the world’s leading global property showcase. The four-day exhibition takes place annually in Cannes in March. Key development and investment opportunities are highlighted through a major presence at the show and also through a series of key events.