The University of Leicester has announced a £14m project to transform a Grade II Listed building into a leading residential conference venue. The University is planning to transform the five-acre former College Hall site in Knighton, which has not been used since 2005, into a high quality 117 en suite bedroom conference facility with break out rooms, dining facilities and 150-seat lecture theatre. Subject to planning permission, it will be the first time in the University’s history that an all-year round conference facility is available- currently residential conferences are only able to be held at University facilities during the holidays. It would also allow the University to dedicate tailored facilities for academic and business conference needs. The proposed development, designed by Associated Architects of Birmingham, will mean that all inward investment for conferences would be able to be considered which would generate additional income to contribute to the development of the University.
The announcement comes just weeks after the University of Leicester opened its £17 million refurbished Percy Gee Students’ Union building and announced its intention to develop a:
– £30 million Medical teaching building
– £12.6 million Cardiovascular Research Centre
In total the University has invested £50 million in the last three years alone and the University has an anticipated capital investment programme of over £200m over the next few years. Funding for the proposed development is from a variety of sources including loans and reserves allocated for capital development.
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