Transforming a historic campus building while keeping university life moving
Client: Manchester Metropolitan University
Conlon Construction delivered the complete refurbishment and remodelling of the Grade II listed Ormond Building at Manchester Metropolitan University, creating a modern, flexible workspace while maintaining the building’s historic character and keeping it operational throughout the programme.
Located within the heart of the University’s busy city-centre campus, the project required careful planning, close collaboration and a phased delivery approach to minimise disruption to staff, students and day-to-day activities.
The Challenge
The Ormond Building required significant modernisation to meet the evolving needs of the University while preserving the architectural integrity of the Grade II listed structure.
Adding to the complexity, the building remained occupied throughout construction, with shared entrances, circulation routes and emergency escape paths continuing to be used by staff and visitors during the works.
Our Solution
Conlon delivered a comprehensive refurbishment and remodelling programme, including:
- Internal reconfiguration to create modern open-plan workspaces
- Demolition of existing partitions and outdated layouts
- New kitchen and welfare facilities
- Full mechanical and electrical replacement and upgrades
- New suspended ceilings throughout
- Plaster repairs and internal restoration works
- Complete redecoration
- New floor finishes
- Installation of furniture, fixtures and equipment
- Roof replacement works
- New sash windows
- Extensive stone repair and conservation works
Throughout the project, careful phasing and stakeholder coordination ensured the building remained operational while construction progressed.
The Outcome
The completed refurbishment has transformed the Ormond Building into a contemporary, high-performing workspace that better supports the University’s operational and academic requirements.
By combining modern working environments with sensitive heritage restoration, the project has extended the lifespan of an important historic building while preserving its character for future generations.
Successfully delivered within a live university environment, the scheme demonstrates Conlon’s ability to undertake complex refurbishment projects where operational continuity, stakeholder management and heritage conservation are equally critical to success.
In the midst of Covid-19 and the resulting resource and supply chain issues, Conlons worked tirelessly to ensure that the site was safe to operate, in order to progress successfully to achieve Practical Completion.