Hugh Stewart Hall will be closed to students for the next two academic years while it undergoes refurbishment.

The refurbishment is part of Project Stay, the university’s plan to refurbish all on-campus halls of residence over the next 10-15 years. This includes the current refurbishment of Florence Boot Hall. 

We anticipate construction work to commence in March 2023, with the refurbished accommodation reopening to students again in September 2024. 

The work will focus on transforming the bedrooms and facilities into a vibrant, accessible environment that caters to students’ current and future needs. 

Both the 1930s block (in yellow below) and the 1960s block (in blue) will be reconfigured, adding communal spaces to each cluster of rooms and increasing the number of ensuite rooms. In addition, the makeover will see improved insulation in both buildings, helping us to achieve sustainability targets.

In the 1930s block, the current kitchen and catering facilities will be relocated to the ground floor, providing accessible options for all students. 

One of the more notable changes will be the introduction of a new amenity and welcome hub offering vistas over the downs, complementing the heritage and environmental setting of Hugh Stewart Hall. 

These new facilities will offer centralised services to Hugh Stewart Hall and surrounding halls, as well as social amenities such as a cinema room and flexible social/event venues.

We have been collaborating with specialist environmental and architectural consultants to ensure that the proposed works and refurbishment designs complement the historical and cultural significance of Hugh Stewart Hall; this principle has remained integral to the design process. We will continue consulting with both internal and external stakeholders throughout the implementation phase. 

Further information about development projects can be found on the Estates Office webpages.