Ever wondered where London’s academic innovation takes physical form? UCL East is right here. It is a satellite campus of University College London. It is located in Stratford at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
UCL East operations started in 2022 with One Pool Street’s opening. The campus was formally opened in 2023 with the Marshgate building’s opening. UCL East represents a significant expansion. It reflects UCL’s commitment to education and research in East London.
In 2011, UCL announced a massive investment. It planned to invest £500 million in its Bloomsbury campus. It also planned a new campus UCL East. The new campus would sit next to the Olympic Park. The plans changed in 2014. The new plans specified 11 acres for UCL East. It would provide up to 125000 square meters of space. UCL East is part of a larger plan. It transforms the Olympic Park into a cultural and innovation hub. UCL would open its first design school there. It would also include an experimental engineering center. A future museum was also planned plus student living spaces.
The master planners were appointed in spring 2015. The first building was expected by 2019. The UCL Urban Laboratory studied university-led urban regeneration. The studies informed UCL East’s development. The sites studied included Durham University’s Queen’s Campus. Other universities like Cambridge. Newcastle University. The University of Pennsylvania. New York University. Columbia University. The Somerleyton Road regeneration scheme also featured.
In June 2016, UCL East expansion was revealed. The university could grow to 60000 students. Concerns arose about the growth rate. Calls were made to slow it down. This ensured UCL met financial stability targets.
Outline planning permission was submitted in May 2017. The London Legacy Development Corporation and UCL submitted it. Permission was granted in March 2018. Construction was expected to begin in 2019. Pool Street West was set for completion by 2021. Marshgate 1 would open in phases starting September 2022. Phase 1 aimed for 50000 square meters. It would accommodate 4000 extra students. It would also include 260 extra academic staff. The entire UCL East campus targeted 180000 square meters. This is 40% of UCL’s central London campus size. The plans included space for academic development. Research space. Student accommodation. Retail space. Phase 2 was planned for 2030. It would complete by 2034. The project would support academic staff and students. Residences for students were included.
In June 2018, funding was announced. The UK government provided £100 million for UCL East. This was part of a larger contribution. The contribution was for the Olympic Park redevelopment. The redevelopment was a cultural and education district. It was known as the East Bank.
In August 2018, a contract was awarded. Mace won a £215 million contract. This was for Marshgate 1’s construction. Construction began in 2019. Completion was planned for 2022.
Construction started on July 2 2019. The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan attended. Work on Pool Street West began in February 2020. One Pool Street was renamed. It was due to open in September 2022. Supply chain issues caused delays. Students were relocated on short notice. UCL received One Pool Street in October 2022. Students moved in. Teaching started in November 2022.
UCL East officially opened in September 2023. Olympic gold medalist Christine Ohuruogu opened it. The Marshgate building completed Phase 1.
The UCL East campus has two buildings. They were constructed in phase 1. One Pool Street and Marshgate. They are located at the Olympic Park’s south end. They sit on either side of the Waterworks River. The campus design is for students. Teaching staff. Support staff. After phase 2 the campus will be larger. Four more buildings will be added.
One Pool Street houses students. It provides research and teaching space. It includes a lecture theater. This doubles as a cinema. It opened in 2022. Marshgate opened in 2023. It supports cross-disciplinary teaching. It fosters research. It is connected to One Pool Street by Thornton Bridge.