This is what the new public square will look like on what was the Adelphi roundabout

Here’s how Preston’s new public square may look as the university officially unveiled its new £60m plans.

Adelphi Square is the flagship development for a multi-million pound investment in the Preston campus of the University of Central Lancashire.

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On Saturday we reported how Manchester architects Hawkins\Brown have landed the contract after winning a shortlist of seven design entries.

A new building – replacing the Fylde Building which was demolished last year – will have a biodiverse roof, LED lighting, a pavilion cafe bar and a large glass facade.

New pictures show a closer view of the building and also give a glimpse inside the student support centre.

Chair of the University Board David Taylor said: “We already have two world-class architecture practices working with us on the Masterplan in SimpsonHaugh and Partners and AHR, and now we have a third with the appointment of the team from Hawkins\Brown. The standard of submissions was very high but it was Hawkins\Brown’s visually impactful, well thought-out concept design which won the day.

“Hawkins\Brown demonstrated a true understanding of what students want, and of the city of Preston with the concept design referencing our industrial heritage. It is a firm which has extensive experience of partnering with universities and, importantly, the final design will deliver on our ambition of drawing the University and city together like never before.”

Inside the new student support centre

A previous budget for the Adelphi Square works had it listed as £50m, but the university has confirmed £60m will now be in the pot.

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Full plans are due to be submitted by the architects in the coming months and the project is due to be complete by 2019.

UCLan’s chief operating officer Michael Ahern said: “These are exciting times for the University and the city and there is huge potential in the Hawkins\Brown scheme, which is just the start of the development process. We will continue to work very hard with our partners at Lancashire County Council, Preston City Council and the local community so that the final design reflects a shared vision that improves connectivity with the city centre.”

A video explaining how the design competition worked has been released explaining what the judges looked for in the winning design.

Leader of Preston City Council councillor Peter Rankin said: “I am very excited by the whole Masterplan from the University. The new student support centre and civic square will definitely enhance the city centre. Everything is coming together to make Preston an even better place to live, study, work and visit.”

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The Adelphi roundabout is due to be re-worked as part of the plans, although no details have yet been given about how the traffic is to flow around the current road layout.

Margaret Mason who has run her florists in Friargate for 55 years said: “These plans look very exciting. I particularly love the overall feel of space, light and openness. There are plenty of trees incorporated into the design concept which I think is important and I can see the square itself being used for a whole range of activities that will attract people into this part of the city with knock-on benefits for local businesses. We now need to work together, the city, the university and the local community, to turn these plans into reality.”

What do you think of the Adelphi Square plan? Do you live nearby? Or work at the university? Let us know in the comments below