Willmott Dixon will create another landmark on the banks of the River Usk in Newport after securing the £26 million contract to build the new City Centre Campus for the University of Wales, Newport.

The project is adjacent to the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre built by Willmott Dixon three years ago and its striking design by BDP architects will ensure it's a further major addition to the area and a catalyst for wider regeneration.

The Willmott Dixon team, lead by project director Kanji Kerai who recently built the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University, aims to start work on site in December with completion set for November 2010.


The City Centre Campus is a collaboration between the University, Newport City Council and Newport Unlimited, the urban regeneration company for the city, and will be home to two academic schools with international reputations; the Newport Business School and the digital media, film and design elements of Newport School of Art, Media and Design.

Willmott Dixon, which has a local office in Cardiff, will build a campus comprising of four lecture theatres, gallery space, library info services, study spaces, seminar rooms, restaurant facilities, an academic 'hot-house' for research and roof top board room.

Brian Drysdale, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in Cardiff said: "Following our successful completion of the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre a few years ago, the team is delighted to be back in almost the same location to create another fantastic addition for Newport and the riverfront. Kanji and his team will now be working towards the start on site in December."

(CD/JM)