Old College Receives £10M funding to kick start detailed design
Aberystwyth University’s remarkable original 1864 building on the seafront is being refurbished and extended to bring new life to this historic landmark. This ambitions £27m scheme will see the building restored for use as a boutique hotel, business start-up unit, museum and gallery as well as retaining university functions. It was announced in January the project will receive £10m of funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the largest award ever in Wales, as well as £3m each from Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51105246). This funding essentially secures the project allowing the next stage of design to proceed.
There are numerous technical and conservation challenges involved in a scheme of this scale in a grade I listed structure. The scheme will involve major interventions in the main building including complete renewal of all services and forming major openings in main structural walls, as well as the adjacent grade II listed Georgian villas and the grounds of the Grade II listed St Michael’s church behind. The most challenging structural aspect will be the 7m cantilever supporting the fully glazed main function space above the Georgian villas, overlooking the seafront, which is frequently battered by Atlantic storms.
