McLaren to deliver £50m refurbishment project for the University of Greenwich, UK

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On 24 September, McLaren Construction was formally appointed by the University of Greenwich to carry out the refurbishment and extension of Devonport House in London. The project is valued at approximately £50m and is the first project secured by McLaren under the university's major works framework agreement. McLaren has been on site since December 2024 under a pre-construction services agreement, carrying out ground investigations and preparatory works, and will now proceed with the main refurbishment and new-build works following the formal appointment.

Built in the 1920s, Devonport House is a Grade II listed building located within the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, adjacent to the National Maritime Museum. The works will retain original architectural elements including the Churchill Room and two historic staircases, while carrying out a comprehensive refurbishment of the former hotel's interior spaces. The existing conference centre will be demolished, and a new three-storey building will be constructed in its place, connected to the historic building by a glass atrium.

Upon completion of the refurbishment, Devonport House will become the new teaching base for the Greenwich Business School, featuring flexible teaching spaces, collaborative learning rooms, technology-enabled learning environments, two lecture theatres, informal learning areas, student services spaces and office areas. Some spaces will also be used for collaborative project activities involving students, researchers and businesses.

The project design is led by Stride Treglown, with Purcell as conservation architect, Gardiner & Theobald and Enbourne Projects responsible for project management, Fanshawe providing cost consultancy, Hoare Lea undertaking MEP, sustainability, fire, acoustics and lighting work, and Alan Baxter Associates responsible for structural engineering.

The project will also implement building energy and site environmental improvements, adopting a net-zero carbon heating solution and targeting BREEAM Excellent. Part of the existing parking area will be converted into green space, a public square and pedestrian areas, strengthening the public realm connection between the historic building and the new-build element. The project is scheduled to be operational from the 2028/29 academic year.