constructing the new Ipswich campus

Oct 26 2006 12:00AM

The University Campus Suffolk state-of-the-art building on the Ipswich Waterfront has moved a step closer to reality following the appointment of Willmott Dixon Construction.

Willmott Dixon Construction has been appointed via the OJEU procurement process to work on the Phase One construction project for the Ipswich Campus of University Campus Suffolk (UCS) on the Ipswich Waterfront. Willmott Dixon will work with Turner and Townsend, RMJM and Faber Maunsell on the construction project to provide University Campus Suffolk with a flexible space for multi-use activities, to create a secure environment for staff and students and provide a sustainable building. The development will be a significant contribution to the regeneration of the Ipswich Waterfront.

Willmott Dixon’s experience within the education sector is both extensive and varied, its project to build the City of London Academy in Southwark recently won the prestigious Prime Minister’s award for Better Public Buildings. It remains at the cutting edge of current thinking and pushing the boundaries of design and construction.

Willmott Dixon has a strong track record of successful projects within the region including a number of significant educational buildings for the University of East Anglia.

Neil Jackson, Capital Programme and Estates Manager for UCS said: "The appointment of the Contractor, Willmott Dixon Construction, is a significant milestone for the project. I am delighted with the appointment of Willmott Dixon Construction who have demonstrated that they will be able to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the project as well as a commitment to high quality not only of what they build but how they build."

Mike Hart, managing direct at Willmott Dixon Construction, said, "As a national contractor with a large presence in East Anglia, we are really pleased to have moved to this next stage of the project. There are a lot of new developments happening in Ipswich and the campus will be a valuable addition to the Waterfront.

"We have an excellent site team, many living locally, who will work to ensure we deliver a great project."

Notes to editors

  1. The combined organisations of Turner & Townsend, RMJM , Faber Maunsell and Willmott Dixon have an unrivalled track record in the Higher Education Sector and are currently working with University College London, Cambridge and Oxford Universities, University of Kent, South Bank University and University of Hertfordshire amongst others.
  2. The group has considerable experience with campus redevelopment schemes in Higher Education, reinforced by a strong cultural affinity with innovation and commitment to continuous improvement. The group also worked closely and successfully with both the parent institutions of UCS - the University of Essex and the University of East Anglia.
  3. Willmott Dixon have been appointed for the first stage of a two stage design and build procurement process, the first stage allows for design development of the scheme in order to agree a fixed price that will be agreed at the second stage.
  4. University Campus Suffolk is a partnership between the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex, working with Lowestoft College, Otley College, Great Yarmouth College, Suffolk College and West Suffolk College. The development of the project is also supported by Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council and the East of England Development Agency.
  5. There will an investment of around £150 million in University Campus Suffolk over the next ten years, including a phase one investment of £89 million by 2009. The Suffolk economy is expected to benefit from an extra £50million each year with a university campus in the county.
  6. The first students are expected to enrol at UCS in September 2007.