The proposed development scheme has been designed by architect Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands and covers the redevelopment of the university's core Bloomsbury estate. The investment scheme would be spread across the next 10 to 15 years.
The Bloomsbury Masterplan was approved by UCL Council in July to provide the strategic framework for the development and improvement of the UCL Bloomsbury Estate to preserve UCL’s buildings.
The masterplan document identifies the limited expansion possibilities of the London estate and proposes an additional London campus that would provide educational and research facilities. It could also provide student accommodation.
The masterplan identifies the constraints imposed by the large number of heritage properties on the campus and identifies that most of the UCL estate is situated in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area with five Grade I, three Grade II* and 19 Grade II listed buildings. A total of 37% of the buildings on the estate are listed.
"Taking a diverse set of buildings, built up by the university incrementally over the past 185 years, and developing a plan to make this estate worthy of a great institution for the 21st century, has been a challenging task," said Alex Lifschutz, director of Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands.
"To our delight, it turns out that much of UCL's stock is rather fine and capable of adaptation to contemporary and future uses," Lifschutz said.
The development of the masterplan included a thorough review and analysis of the estate and wide consultation was undertaken."I encourage everyone interested in the future of UCL to take a close interest in this plan as it develops and continue to let the team know your views and comments," said Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of UCL.
The masterplan outlines schemes to improve the landscaping to all existing public spaces and includes plans for cafés and restaurants. The masterplan document also proposes the creation of an entirely new public space above the Physics Yard.
The redevelopment plans also include an increase in quantity of teaching and research space and opening the campus up to the public with museums and collections.
The masterplan only provides for one new significant building, which will house a new Student Centre on the site adjacent to the Bloomsbury Theatre on Gordon Street.
"The fact that we are setting out such an ambitious programme of investment and renewal in these straightened times illustrates our global ambition and confidence in the future," said Grant.
