Balfour Beatty has secured a £287 million contract to build the Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) for the University of Manchester.
The facility will contain the University's Engineering schools, hosting a range of flexible hi-specification laboratories and lecture spaces supporting a 10-year Campus Masterplan to create a world-class estate benefitting staff, students and visitors.
In addition to housing research institutes such as the Dalton Nuclear Institute and the BP- International Centre for Advanced Materials (BP-ICAM), the MECD will consolidate the majority of the University's estate onto one main campus, helping to create a more compact and coherent infrastructure that also reduces the University's carbon footprint and costs.
The four-year project will also create considerable land holdings in the north of the campus, contributing to the future economic success of the city with redevelopment opportunities.
'Green' construction techniques will be used throughout the development once finished, resulting in smart energy consumption and advanced water recycling and waste systems. Overall, up to 7,000 students and 1,300 staff will be accommodated, with the MECD also incorporating blended learning facilities, workshops and a 'maker space' where students will see their engineering creations come to life.
Overall, up to 1,000 people will be employed at peak construction on the project. Balfour Beatty was appointed to the University's Construction Partnering Framework in May 2015 and has been working under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) since November 2015.
Dean Banks, Balfour Beatty Managing Director, UK Construction Services, said: "We are delighted to have been appointed to construct the MECD, one of the largest single developments ever undertaken by a higher education institution in the UK."
Diana Hampson, Director of Estates at The University of Manchester, said: "The Manchester Engineering Campus Development will be a world-leading centre for learning and research."
(LM/MH)
Construction News
23/11/2017
Balfour Beatty Secures £287m Contract


01/04/2025
Galliford Try's Building East Midlands business has officially broken ground on a £63 million Single Living Accommodation (SLA) project at RAF Digby, Lincolnshire.
The historic base, the Royal Air Force's oldest station established in 1918, will see the construction of four new Junior Ranks SLA bu

01/04/2025
The regeneration of Nottingham city centre has taken a significant step forward following an agreement for Homes England to acquire the Broad Marsh site from Nottingham City Council.
As the Government's housing and regeneration agency, Homes England will take ownership of the former shopping centre

01/04/2025
Work has officially commenced on Morgan Sindall Construction's latest education project in Greater Manchester, the permanent home for Star Radcliffe Academy, a five-form entry secondary school with space for 750 students aged 11-16.
Operated by Star Academies, one of the UK’s highest-performing mul

01/04/2025
The UK's construction industry is experiencing a significant upturn, driven by ambitious government initiatives to build 1.5 million homes and undertake major infrastructure projects.
This surge has spotlighted a critical challenge: the need for a skilled workforce to meet escalating demands. Rece

01/04/2025
Plans to acquire 10 two-bedroom homes in the village of Hook have been approved by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing.
The purchase, supported by Welsh Government funding, will see the council secure the properties from Kooner Properties Ltd, which is currently developing the

01/04/2025
The relocation and expansion of Fred Nicholson School took a major step forward as pupils visited the construction site and participated in a ceremonial steel signing.
The school, which serves children and young people aged 7 to 16 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), is moving f

01/04/2025
Castlemere Developments has appointed Ryan Morrissey as project manager to oversee its legacy and new developments.
The 34-year-old will bring a wealth of experience to the Windsor-based company, which has a number of ongoing projects across London and the south east.
Morrissey's most recent role

01/04/2025
Rail passengers traveling across the Pennines over the Easter weekend are being urged to plan ahead as major upgrade work between Huddersfield and Dewsbury is set to impact train services from Saturday 19 to Monday 21 April.
As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), engineers will be carryin

31/03/2025
GMI Construction Group has announced the practical completion of Citylabs 4.0, a cutting-edge 125,000 sq. ft laboratory and workspace development, further solidifying Manchester’s position as a leader in life sciences and healthcare technology.
Developed in partnership with Bruntwood SciTech and Ma

31/03/2025
Kier has completed the construction of HMP Millsike for the Ministry of Justice, increasing prison capacity by approximately 1,500 and marking a significant milestone in the UK’s prison infrastructure.
The facility was officially opened by Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt. Hon