Historic University hall to get multi-million pound makeover

Students at the University of Nottingham will benefit from newly refurbished sustainable student accommodation on campus, thanks to an ambitious programme of works starting this month.

The regeneration of the University’s residential estate will begin with the historic Florence Boot Hall, which dates back to 1928. The hall of residence, which is located on Nottingham’s University Park Campus, was the first female hall at the University and was founded by businesswoman and philanthropist, Florence Boot – wife of Boots the chemist founder, Jesse Boot.

This is the first time since its construction that the historic development will close, with the aim of preserving the building’s heritage for future generations through a £15million comprehensive refurbishment. The works of the 200-bed hall of residence will include overhauling the building fabric, installing new en suite and shared bathrooms and updating the interiors.

This is the first phase of the University’s ambitious plans to revive all of its student accommodation over the next few years.

Professor Todd Landman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University, is leading the project management group on the project. He 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.”

Clegg Construction have been appointed to carry out the works on Florence Boot 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 insulating external walls internally. The slate roof will be replaced to match the existing tiles and there will be LED lighting throughout the residence, further reducing the carbon footprint of the site.

Sam Parker, Project 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 halls 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.”

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