Multiplex Wins Contract For £1bn Western Infirmary Campus Project

Multiplex has been selected to deliver a £1 billion campus development programme for the University of Glasgow.

The company has signed official contracts for the development of the former Western Infirmary site and enabling works for the construction phase are already underway being carried out by John Graham (Holdings).

An initial £430 million will be spent over the next five years as part of the programme's first phase, with features including the construction of new buildings, the clearance of the Western Infirmary Site and the new landscaping of the public realm.

New buildings will include;

• A Learning and Teaching Hub

• A Research Hub to facilitate new multidisciplinary cutting edge research

• An Institute of Health and Wellbeing tackling the public health problems of Glasgow and beyond

• The Adam Smith Business School including space to grow the University's postgraduate student population

• A base for our College of Arts including new performance spaces

• Significant upgrade of the chemistry building (the Joseph Black Building)

The second phase is expected to start in 2023 and will deliver;

• New teaching and research space for engineering

• An Innovation Quarter on Church Street to improve engagement with local industry and promote creation of new companies


• A building for research into chronic diseases

• The creation of a Social Justice Hub to lead research in the elimination of global inequalities

Enabling works are already underway on the Learning and Teaching Hub site at University Avenue. The facility will link into the existing Boyd Orr building on University Avenue, delivering a new 500-seater raked lecture theatre, four flat-floored lecture theatres and 1,000-plus spaces for learning.

Overall, the project will transform the West End of the city and lead the creation of some 2,500 new jobs.

Speaking after the official signing ceremony, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Anton Muscatelli said: "The signing of this contract is a major milestone in the delivery of the University's campus development programme which will see the most significant investment and expansion in our estate for more than a century, comparable in many ways with the move from the High Street to Gilmorehill in the 1870s.

"These plans are about far more than investment in buildings, however. Our focus is on creating an inclusive and welcoming campus, fit for the 21st century and beyond, which will continue to attract the brightest and best students and staff from across the globe.

"We are confident that Multiplex shares this vision and will deliver buildings that will inspire world-class teaching and learning as well as internationally-excellent research. Multiplex is a truly international company but it also has a very strong Scottish division. We are delighted to be working with the team who successfully delivered the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on time and on budget."

Executive Director of Multiplex, John Ballantyne, added: "The University of Glasgow campus development will transform a significant area of the West End of Glasgow. Multiplex is delighted to be chosen as the university's Programme Delivery Partner and share their goal to create an innovative, modern campus while remaining respectful to the rich heritage of Gilmorehill.

"In responding to the unique challenges of this development, our delivery team and supply chain partners are passionate about delivering a project legacy the university and the people of Glasgow can be proud of."

UofG Chief Operating Officer Dr David Duncan (L) and John Ballantyne, Executive Director of Multiplex, sign the agreement.

(LM)