One of Wolverhampton’s grandest buildings will become student accommodation and shops in the latest regeneration project planned for the city centre.

The former Wolverhampton University building on Lichfield Street, a few doors down from the Grand Theatre, was  taken over by student build specialists the Watkin Jones Group a few days ago, paving the way for its revamp.

The firm says it is considering several options to revitalise the site, which will include student accommodation and retail outlets, and has already opened talks with several operators.

The student accommodation will be on the upper levels of the building while retail stores will open on street level. It is hoped the project will help breathe new life into an area which is considered a gateway into the city, and is set to become even busier under £200 million plans to overhaul the bus and railway stations and add bars and restaurants as part of a new transport interchange a short distance down the road.

Read the full story in the Express & Star. 

One of Wolverhampton’s grandest buildings will become student accommodation and shops in the latest regeneration project planned for the city centre.

The former Wolverhampton University building on Lichfield Street, a few doors down from the Grand Theatre, was  taken over by student build specialists the Watkin Jones Group a few days ago, paving the way for its revamp.

The firm says it is considering several options to revitalise the site, which will include student accommodation and retail outlets, and has already opened talks with several operators.

The student accommodation will be on the upper levels of the building while retail stores will open on street level. It is hoped the project will help breathe new life into an area which is considered a gateway into the city, and is set to become even busier under £200 million plans to overhaul the bus and railway stations and add bars and restaurants as part of a new transport interchange a short distance down the road.

Watkin Jones, which has built more than 10,000 student units across the country in recent years, is expected to release detailed plans for the site in the new year and it is hoping that the development will be completed by August 2009.

A company spokesman said: “We are, of course, delighted to be working in Wolverhampton and recognise this site as playing a key part in the regeneration of this area of the city.”

The old MU building was used by scores of staff and students for classes before it was decided to move facilities to a £10 million  building in Camp Street near Molineux. 

The university is also expected to sell a similar site on nearby Stafford Street shortly although bosses are yet to reveal what that could be used for. 

Earlier this year the Express & Star revealed plans for a £25 million student village which, it is hoped, will  revolutionise university accommodation in the city.

Three blocks of flats are set to be built on land bordered by Wednesfield Road, Culwell Street and Lock Street. The development will be opposite the multi-million pound leisure, retail and residential complex on the site of the historic Low Level station and will bring empty land back into use.