The University of Manchester has unveiled a £200m facelift for its Fallowfield campus - dubbing it ‘tired’ and outdated. Much of the sprawling Owens Park site - including its distinctive tower block - will be demolished and replaced with a brand new state-of-the-art student village under a new masterplan.
University bosses want to make Fallowfield the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Manchester’s student experience again after several years of waning popularity.
Some 2,200 rooms would be knocked down and rebuilt under the plan, with an extra 800 added to make up for those being demolished shortly on the university’s city centre Booth Street West campus.
There would also be upgraded sports facilities and improved student support services
Owens Park is the university’s main residential site, dominated by its 1960s-built tower block, clearly visible from Wilmslow Road. Under the masterplan the tower - along with residential halls Oak House and Ladybarn House - will be cleared.
The university also wants to sell off part of the 70-acre site for redevelopment and make what remains more accessible to the local community.
In recent years students have started moving to the city centre in their droves, attracted by higher-quality apartments and a greater proximity to lectures.
But both the council and university fear that if that continues indefinitely, Fallowfield’s economy and housing market could be damaged - so they plan to make it the ‘destination of choice’ again for students, according to the blueprint.
The move - expected to cost between £175m and £200m - is the latest phase in £1.8bn of investment by the university in new facilities.
The plans is expected to go out to public consultation shortly.