Work due to begin on £36 million redevelopment of Northgate House, Oxford
Suzanne Lovell
Work is about to begin on the £36 million redevelopment of Northgate House in the centre of Oxford.
The 1960s building in Cornmarket Street, owned by neighbouring Jesus College, is to make way for a new mixed-use scheme offering retail and other commercial units on the ground floor and research and teaching facilities, along with 68 student rooms, above.
During the redevelopment, Oxford City Council (OCC) and the college are jointly working on hoarding designs to promote the scheme as well as the nearby Covered Market which will remain open throughout.
Cllr Mary Clarkson, OCC board member for culture and the city centre, said: “Jesus College’s redevelopment of Northgate House is more than once in a generation – it is once in a century.
“The project will expand the independent retail quarter around the Covered Market, will bring a modern and iconic new building to the heart of the city, will create a new city centre community, and will help secure the future of an Oxford institution.”
The old Northgate House was opened in 1963 with Marks & Spencer its single occupier. It was later a Co-op but, more recently, was split into a number of retail units.
Sir Nigel Shadbolt, principal of Jesus College, said: “The new development is an exciting milestone in the history of the college, and will ensure that we remain at the forefront of academic excellence while making the college more open and integrated.
“New retail spaces on the ground floor will help regenerate the city centre, and access via Market Street will help bring the college closer to the local community. We see this as an opportunity not just to embrace the future of learning at Jesus College, but to help improve and enhance the Cornmarket area of Oxford.”
Jesus College used MICA Architects, JPP town planners and David Bonnett design consultants.
The new Northgate House is due to open in 2021, coinciding with the 450th anniversary of Jesus College.
Source: Thames Valley Property No 154 (tvproperty.co.uk).
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