Marlborough College appoint Beard for important upgrades to College Estate

Marlborough College has new boarding facilities at Ivy House with space for an additional 50 students, following a six-month renovation project led by a team from Beard Swindon.

This and two subsequent construction projects, which have also been awarded to Beard, form part of a £5 million plus investment by the College to provide new boarding facilities and important upgrades to the College estate.

Previously a school in the eighteenth century and latterly a cinema and hotel, the investment in Ivy House preserves a fine Grade II building in the town centre, which was in extremely poor condition. Despite unknown factors with the building’s fabric, which increased the scope of the project by 60%, the team were able to complete the works on time and a sensitive approach ensured minimal disruption to neighbouring buildings and town centre traffic.

In June the team started a second project to remodel and refurbish the Sanitorium and Turner House, which will consolidate the medical centre on the ground floor with improved boarding and staff accommodation above, all due for completion in time for the September term. A third project to extend and refurbish Littlefield House will keep the team busy until October.

Simon MacSorley, Director of Estates for Marlborough College, said: “This is an important investment for the College and helps to bring our Estate up-to-date with improved facilities for students and staff.  Beard has been an excellent construction partner. The team has demonstrated that they can work around the needs of a busy College and deliver quality projects on time. Both academic and estates staff have been pleased and impressed.”

Marc Bayley added: “This is another example of how our philosophy of ensuring prompt and faultless delivery brings repeat business.”