Henry Cotton Building redevelopment
A major new project to transform Henry Cotton Building has been given the green light.
The £12.5m project will decarbonise the building, provide flexible, modern new facilities for students and staff, and create a bright, attractive look and feel.
The redevelopment works will begin in October 2025 and are scheduled to be completed by July 2027 when the remodelled building will be home to programmes from the Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science.
To provide high-quality teaching and student spaces while the work is carried out at Henry Cotton Building, LJMU has signed a lease to relocate some teaching to City Square on Tithebarn Street.
Your new look Henry Cotton Building
The improvements will enhance the layout and accessibility of the building, while the Scandinavian design increases the amount of natural daylight, materials and greenery.
The refurbishment will support the university’s commitment to sustainability as set out in the LJMU Climate Action Plan and its ambition of reaching net zero carbon. The building will be fully decarbonised, with new photovoltaic panels, increased thermal efficiency and new mechanical heating and ventilation. These enhancements are in addition to the air source heat pumps already in use.
The new facilities comprise:
- An attractive, redesigned entrance to the building with a double-height foyer, improved reception and increased natural light via curtain walling and a new light well
- First floor: New lecture space, security office and toilet facilities along with improved wayfinding
- Second floor: A new Harvard-style lecture theatre, new student zone, IT suite and modern flexible teaching spaces
- Third floor: The existing pitched roofs will be replaced to create a larger floor space of modern staff offices, meeting spaces, new staff lounge, postgraduate areas, breakout zones and panoramic city views
Temporary teaching spaces in City Square
While the works are carried out in Henry Cotton Building, some teaching from the Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science will temporarily relocate elsewhere in the university’s estate.
LJMU is leasing accommodation nearby in City Square on Tithebarn Street. The space is being remodelled over the summer to meet the university’s requirements and provide high-quality teaching and student space from September 2025.
The faculty is working with Estates and Facilities Management to manage the relocation of teaching. Any members of staff in the faculty who have questions about the refurbishment works and interim teaching arrangements should speak to their line manager in the first instance.
Delivering an outstanding student experience
This is a major development for the faculty and the university, and will significantly transform one of our key buildings for the benefit of our students and staff.
Professor Raphaela Kane, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Professor Kane continues: “The new lecture theatres and teaching spaces will be fantastic additions to our facilities, while the student zone will offer great opportunities for our students to make full use of the building and work individually and collaboratively.
“Our schools have been closely involved in the planning of the new layout and facilities to ensure they meet the requirements of our programmes and support our delivery of an outstanding student experience.”
Liz Gatheral, Director of Estate Development and Campus Services, said: “Henry Cotton Building is a highly visible gateway site and its new look and feel will really enhance this area of the university’s City Campus and provide an improved experience for students and staff.
“We have incorporated sustainability initiatives to completely decarbonise the building, while the abundance of natural light and use of natural materials will provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for teaching, learning and research.”
