Teesside University to invest £40m in new building

Teesside University has unveiled plans for a £40m Digital Life building at the centre of the Middlesbrough campus.Set for completion in spring 2025, the development will provide a focal point for digital teaching and learning, and will boost the impact of the Campus Masterplan.To date, more than £280m has been invested as part of an ongoing drive to enhance the student and learning experience.The building will house AI and robots suites, virtual reality and cybersecurity laboratories and animation and visual effects studios.It will also contain the University’s first dedicated large-scale and multi-functional events space, which will accommodate events including the annual Animex festival and the university’s graduation ceremonies.Wates has been appointed to bring forward the building.Professor Paul Croney, vice-chancellor and chief executive of Teesside University, said: “We are an ambitious, global-looking university and, as an institution which attracts students from all over the world, we always strive to provide the best possible student and learning experience.”He added: “Digital Life will provide a vital cross-university asset for digital innovation, firmly cementing Teesside’s reputation as a future-facing university.”David Wingfield, regional director for construction – Yorkshire and North East at Wates, said: “Digital Life marks our fourth project with Teesside University, and we’re honoured to continue being a part of this ambitious transformation.”We’ve established an incredibly strong working partnership with both the client and local supply chain over the years. This will help us deliver this project successfully for the University, while ensuring we go above and beyond to support the wider Teesside community through social value and sustainability measures.”