City Campus wins Refurbishment of the Year Award at the Education Estates Awards 2026
University of Gloucestershire’s City Campus has achieved the latest in a series of major accolades after winning the Refurbishment of the Year Award at the Education Estates Awards 2026.
The cutting-edge centre for teaching, learning and community services was described at the awards ceremony in Manchester as embodying ‘bold innovation’ in transforming a ‘cherished community landmark into a low-carbon civic community hub.’
The Education Estates Awardscelebrate those who are shaping the future of learning environments through innovation, development, and outstanding achievements.
Recognising the most inspiring projects and contributions to the sector, the awards highlight the vision and dedication that drive excellence in education spaces, and celebrate the contributions of consultants, contractors, architects and clients as well as ground-breaking work in innovation and sustainability.
The Refurbishment of the Year Award celebrates outstanding projects that transform and modernise existing educational buildings, with the success for City Campus reflecting the collaborative efforts of the University and its delivery partners, including Morgan Sindall Construction, ADP Architecture, Pagabo, Ridge, Arup, Coreus and Denton Powell.
The full citation for City Campus read: University of Gloucestershire’s new City Campus embodies bold innovation, transforming a cherished community landmark into a low-carbon civic university hub. Shaped by and for the community, its retention-led approach honours historic significance while being projected to cut annual CO2 emissions by approximately 80% per square metre.
Earlier in the year, the former Debenhams location won three major honours at the Construction Excellence West Midlands Awards 2026 – Building Project of the Year Award, the Retrofit Award and the overall Winner of Winners Award.
City Campus also won the Heritage and Regeneration Award at the Believe in Gloucester Awards for the sensitive restoration and preservation of one of Gloucester’s most iconic heritage landmarks.
Opened by The Princess Royal in January 2026, City Campus has become a focal point for learning, collaboration and community activity in the heart of Gloucester, while preserving and repurposing one of the city’s most recognisable buildings.
The location provides a range of shared public access facilities, including a new Arts, Health and Wellbeing Centre delivered in partnership with the NHS Integrated Care Board, and a new public library run by Gloucestershire County Council.
The University and NHS Gloucestershire ICB have agreed funding for a new dental school and treatment hub to be located within City Campus. The Three Counties Dental School, which will include the Gloucestershire Dental Treatment Hub, will be operational from 2027.
Dame Clare Marchant, DBE, Vice-Chancellor of University of Gloucestershire, said: “This national award is another proud moment for the University and everyone connected with City Campus, which continues to go from strength to strength.
“City Campus has transformed a landmark building into a vibrant, connected and sustainable university hub that is making a significant contribution to Gloucester and beyond, inspiring current and future generations of students while creating new opportunities for the wider community.
“With a new community dental hub and dental hygiene programme on the way, City Campus is expanding access to vital services, supporting skills development, and making a positive impact across the region.
“To receive national recognition for the project is a testament to the vision, creativity and collaboration of all our partners. It shows what can be achieved when there is unity around a shared ambition to deliver something exceptional for students and staff, and individuals, groups and organisations within the community.”
Richard Fielding, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction’s Midlands Business, said: “University of Gloucestershire’s City Campus is a really deserving winner of this award, as it’s a great showcase for how to revitalise buildings and transform them into valuable, futureproof spaces.
“Thanks to a close, innovative collaboration between all the partners on this project, the Art Deco heritage and character of Gloucester’s old Debenhams site has been preserved while providing a space that will inspire generations of students.”
Main image, from the awards ceremony: left to right, award sponsors representative; Karina Connolly, Senior Business Development Manager, Morgan Sindall; Jason Stapley, Pagabo; Camille Stallard, Chief Financial Officer, University of Gloucestershire; Natalia Lopez, Associate Director, ADP architects; Jo Charles, Director of Commercial and Transformation, University of Gloucestershire; James Colthart, Managing Director, Coreus; Richard Fielding, Area Director (Midlands), Morgan Sindall.