The next exciting phase of development of Jesus College’s Northgate site begins this month, with work scheduled to start on site in early March.
The latest milestone was reached after the final retail tenants left the site, allowing vacant possession to be taken by the College, and substantive works to begin. This follows preparatory building and design work, which is already underway. It is estimated that the entire scheme will take two years to complete.
The new £36m development will ensure that Jesus College continues to lead the way in academic research and study, whilst embracing tradition and creating a public gateway for the College in the heart of the city.
An architectural model of the new Northgate building, designed by MICA Architects
This investment supports the aims set out in the College’s Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021 to expand and enhance Jesus College, providing additional meeting, teaching, social and residential facilities, including 68 new student rooms.
A key element of the new building will a Digital Hub. The Hub will provide facilities to make the College a leader in the application of computational methods and techniques to academic research and knowledge exchange. It will also serve as an open and collaborative space, helping Jesus College to develop its outreach and access programmes and open up the College to the wider community.
Our new Northgate building will transform learning and research in the 21st Century
The development, which is being designed by MICA Architects and will be built by BAM Construction, also involves plans to revitalise the retail space in Cornmarket and Market Street, creating new shops and regenerating the area.
This significant new development has been made possible thanks to a generous donation from Dr Henry Cheng and his company Knight Dragon, to help Jesus College realise its ambitions for the future.
The architects have been working closely with fellows, staff and students to come up with a modern design to replace the 1960s Northgate House structure and we are very much looking forward to the completion of this landmark building in 2021, which will be another significant milestone in the College’s 450-year history.