University of Southampton appoints Kier Group as contractor for North East Quadrant development

Kier Group is a renowned construction firm with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, innovative projects. They possess extensive experience in construction, which will be invaluable in bringing the University’s vision to life. Enabling works are due to start on site from Monday 15 April.  

Kevin Argent, Executive Director of Estates and Facilities said:  

"Today’s announcement of the appointment of Kier Construction marks the start of an exciting new phase of significant investment in our buildings and infrastructure.  

This flagship building will create a next-generation teaching and learning facility which has a focus on student experience, wellbeing and sustainability.  

Appointing a local construction company supports our commitment to generate prosperity and tackle social challenges in South Hampshire, one of the six pledges the University of Southampton committed to when signing the Civic University Agreement. 

The goals found in our Sustainability Strategic Plan are at the heart of all we do at the University, this extends to our construction projects. I am pleased that Kier reflect our values and will help to support those ambitions throughout this project.  

I look forward to working with Kier in the coming months and watching this development take shape."

Development of this site, which has been planned for several years, will ensure the University meet its goals of providing the world-class facilities that students and staff have said they need, supporting the plans for growth in staff and student numbers, and creating a more sustainable and inclusive campus. The new building, one of the centrepieces of the University's major estates transformation, should be ready for use from the 2027/28 academic year. 

This cutting-edge teaching and learning facility will provide a number of benefits to the University community, including large lecture theatres and additional state of the art flexible teaching and study spaces. All spaces will be multi-departmental and will be supported by a Student Hub, modernising the delivery of pastoral and wellbeing support for students. 

The plans for the site are available to view on the project’s consultation webpages.

Source: University of Southampton