LEICESTER | University of Leicester | £1 billion | 20 years

[Leicity82]

The student union extension has been approved:

http://rcweb.leicester.gov.uk/planni...AppNo=20090181

[Leicity82]

Here's a Youtube video of the extension:



Here's the website: www.percygee.org

[Tomber]

Oh god I would be mortified if they demolished College House, not only does it provide a nice architectural contrast to the surrounding buildings - it's probably, after the FJ, the building with the most interesting history, and a genuine attraction for students.

It would be insane to destroy that in the name of redevelopment.

[Leicity82]

Plus its the child hood home of the Attenboroughs. Would the careers service be moved to the new union then?

[Tomber]

Originally Posted by Leicity82

Plus its the child hood home of the Attenboroughs. Would the careers service be moved to the new union then?

The careers service is now in the new library - College House is now part of the Maths dept.

It's all very well them asking the Attenboroughs whether they mind their childhood home getting knocked down - but really they're not the ones who matter in this - it would be hugely egotistical of them to say "no, you can't knock it down just because I lived there". It's the members of the university who can point that out, and be proud that two such accomplished people lived there who will suffer if it was knocked down.

[Leicity82]

Thanks for the info. Shows how long it's been since I was there last.

[thefounder]

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.u...l/article.html

A venue fit for the biggest music acts
Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 09:30
Comment on this story

Major pop and rock acts could be performing in Leicester again after plans were revealed to build a venue.

The redevelopment of the University of Leicester's students' union building will include a 1,700-capacity live music hall.

It will rival Nottingham's Rock City, which caters for a similar-sized audience and is the destination of choice for most of the biggest touring acts when they come to the East Midlands.

The £15m plan is the latest part of the university's £1bn project to redevelop its campus and will see the original Percy Gee union building completely redesigned.

A venue of this size has been missing from the city since De Montfort University's Arena – a favourite of the late DJ John Peel – closed in 2003.


The Charlotte, which put on gigs to a capacity audience of 400, closed in January.

Ambalavanar Kumaran, deputy chief executive of the Students' Union, said he hoped the new building would attract leading bands to the city and provide a centre for other events.

He said: "The music venue will make Leicester one of the primary locations for touring bands in the country and will be open to everyone in Leicester."

Music fans have welcomed the news that the city is to get larger music following the closure of the Charlotte.

Jon Young, 30, from Leicester's West End said: "This could put Leicester back on the map and might make bands feel they do not have to go to Nottingham all the time. If Kasabian can sell out De Montfort Hall three nights in a row, that shows that people here like music and a new venue would be well received."

Hannah Doyle, 25, from Queniborough, said: "Losing the Charlotte was a bitter blow for music in the city, so it's good to see money being put back into enticing the big names back here to play."

Chris Kettle, 31, from Syston, said: "All that is left in Leicester is De Montfort Hall, but it is too big for some bands. I think we do need a music venue, my only question would be is it the right place?

"I think we really ought to have it in the centre."

The building is the latest university development to be announced after the £32m David Wilson Library was opened by the Queen in December.

The students' union building, named after the university's first pro-chancellor and benefactor, Percy Gee, is one of the oldest on campus.

The venue, expected to open in September 2010, will increase the capacity for live performances at the university by 500.

The centrepiece of the building will be a central atrium and courtyard area providing a social space at the heart of the building. It will also include shops, cafes and advice centres.

Professor Helen Atkinson, chairman of the development project team, said: "Students everywhere are coming to university wanting more than just a degree.

"They are concerned about the whole lifestyle of being a student, from the particular bands that have gigged at the union right the way through to whether the university has FairTrade status. What is dubbed the student experience is in the higher education spotlight."

[rusheyboy]

Originally Posted by thefounder

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.u...l/article.html

A venue fit for the biggest music acts
Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 09:30
Comment on this story

Major pop and rock acts could be performing in Leicester again after plans were revealed to build a venue.

The redevelopment of the University of Leicester's students' union building will include a 1,700-capacity live music hall.

It will rival Nottingham's Rock City, which caters for a similar-sized audience and is the destination of choice for most of the biggest touring acts when they come to the East Midlands.

The £15m plan is the latest part of the university's £1bn project to redevelop its campus and will see the original Percy Gee union building completely redesigned.

A venue of this size has been missing from the city since De Montfort University's Arena – a favourite of the late DJ John Peel – closed in 2003.


The Charlotte, which put on gigs to a capacity audience of 400, closed in January.

Ambalavanar Kumaran, deputy chief executive of the Students' Union, said he hoped the new building would attract leading bands to the city and provide a centre for other events.

He said: "The music venue will make Leicester one of the primary locations for touring bands in the country and will be open to everyone in Leicester."

Music fans have welcomed the news that the city is to get larger music following the closure of the Charlotte.

Jon Young, 30, from Leicester's West End said: "This could put Leicester back on the map and might make bands feel they do not have to go to Nottingham all the time. If Kasabian can sell out De Montfort Hall three nights in a row, that shows that people here like music and a new venue would be well received."

Hannah Doyle, 25, from Queniborough, said: "Losing the Charlotte was a bitter blow for music in the city, so it's good to see money being put back into enticing the big names back here to play."

Chris Kettle, 31, from Syston, said: "All that is left in Leicester is De Montfort Hall, but it is too big for some bands. I think we do need a music venue, my only question would be is it the right place?

"I think we really ought to have it in the centre."

The building is the latest university development to be announced after the £32m David Wilson Library was opened by the Queen in December.

The students' union building, named after the university's first pro-chancellor and benefactor, Percy Gee, is one of the oldest on campus.

The venue, expected to open in September 2010, will increase the capacity for live performances at the university by 500.

The centrepiece of the building will be a central atrium and courtyard area providing a social space at the heart of the building. It will also include shops, cafes and advice centres.

Professor Helen Atkinson, chairman of the development project team, said: "Students everywhere are coming to university wanting more than just a degree.

"They are concerned about the whole lifestyle of being a student, from the particular bands that have gigged at the union right the way through to whether the university has FairTrade status. What is dubbed the student experience is in the higher education spotlight."

This is excellent news.

[Leicity82]

Great news!

At least someone's thinking about the future of the city's music scene.

[WOTZDA POINT]

Two similar sized venues in the same area Leicester Uni and De Mont Hall doesn't seem to make sense.

And what were De Mont Uni thinking when they didn't replace their arena ?

[Tomber]

Originally Posted by WOTZDA POINT

Two similar sized venues in the same area Leicester Uni and De Mont Hall doesn't seem to make sense.

Catering for very different crowds though...

[Lears City]

Yeah De Mont is city council owned and they put some terrible stuff on sometimes. The Uni will be mainly catering for bands for a younger crowd...

[Tomber]

Originally Posted by Lears City

Yeah De Mont is city council owned and they put some terrible stuff on sometimes. The Uni will be mainly catering for bands for a younger crowd...

There's some excellent stuff at DMH too though.

[Lears City]

That is true, but there is often a very different market to what a student venue would cater for.

Fri 19 Jun........Big Session Festival
Sat 20 Jun........Big Session Festival
Sun 21 Jun........Big Session Festival
Thu 25 Jun........Evelyn Waugh's BRIDESHEAD REVISITED
Thu 25 Jun........Rock - The Story of Simon Peter
Sat 27 Jun........Bardi Wind Orchestra
Sun 28 Jun........The Saturdays
Thu 02 Jul........Leicester and Leicestershire Arts In Education
Fri 03 Jul........Leicester and Leicestershire Arts In Education
Sat 04 Jul........Russell Howard Dingledodies Tour
Sat 18 Jul........Danny Rogers Band and Singers
Fri 14 Aug........Summer Sundae Weekender
Fri 11 Sep........Village India
Fri 11 Sep........Experience Gujarat - Bhajan Ej Swajan
Fri 11 Sep........Experience Gujarat - Aanand Tarang
Fri 11 Sep........Experience Gujarat - Saat Suro Na Sarname
Sat 12 Sep........Experience Gujarat - Meghdhanoosh
Sat 12 Sep........Village India
Sat 12 Sep........Experience Gujarat - Haso Nahin To Mara Sam...
Sat 12 Sep........Experience Gujarat - Avinashi Avinash
Sun 13 Sep........Village India
Sun 13 Sep........Experience Gujarat - Manmohan Padprasadi
Sun 13 Sep........Experience Gujarat - Rangbhoomi Ni Sangbhoomi
Sun 13 Sep........Experience Gujarat - Lok Saagar Ma Moti (Dairo)
Tue 29 Sep........CHi2 - Monkey King
Wed 30 Sep........Tango Fire
Thu 01 Oct........Elvis On Tour - The Legend Continues
Fri 02 Oct........Massive Attack
Tue 06 Oct........Maximum Rhythm 'n' Blues - A Night At The Flamingo
Tue 13 Oct........Legendary Gypsy Queens and Kings
Sat 17 Oct........Halfway To Paradise: The Billy Fury Story
Sun 18 Oct........Memories Are Made Of This
Mon 19 Oct........Noddy
Tue 20 Oct........Noddy
Wed 21 Oct........Show Of Hands with Miranda Sykes
Fri 23 Oct........Jane McDonald
Sun 01 Nov........Glenn Miller Orchestra
Fri 06 Nov........Bob The Builder Live!
Fri 06 Nov........Bob The Builder Live!
Wed 11 Nov........Anything For Love
Thu 12 Nov........Al Murray
Mon 16 Nov........Blood Brothers
to
Sat 21 Nov........Blood Brothers
Sun 22 Nov........Ed Byrne: Different Class
Tue 24 Nov........Jack Jones
Wed 25 Nov........Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
Thu 26 Nov........Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
Thu 03 Dec........Bootleg Beatles
Sat 05 Dec........Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings
Wed 09 Dec........Grumpy Old Women Live 2

[WOTZDA POINT]

Wouldn't it be nice to have some joined up thinking and cooperation in the world of planning and developments.

I know it sounds a bit like communism or top down authoritarianism but sometimes it's better than short term piecemeal developments which are market led.

Leicester uni could buy DMH off the council (saving a fortune) and have a prestigious concert hall for gigs and graduation ceremonies. The hall is virtually in the grounds of the uni anyway.

The council could then with the proceeds from the sale and maybe the odd little grant or two build a brand new 21st century arena with at least 5000 capacity for it's citizens.

[Tomber]

Originally Posted by WOTZDA POINT

Wouldn't it be nice to have some joined up thinking and cooperation in the world of planning and developments.

I know it sounds a bit like communism or top down authoritarianism but sometimes it's better than short term piecemeal developments which are market led.

Leicester uni could buy DMH off the council (saving a fortune) and have a prestigious concert hall for gigs and graduation ceremonies. The hall is virtually in the grounds of the uni anyway.

The council could then with the proceeds from the sale and maybe the odd little grant or two build a brand new 21st century arena with at least 5000 capacity for it's citizens.

Would be nice, wouldn't it?

[Lears City]

Wotzda - that makes too much sense...

[Leicity82]

Work seems to have started on demolishing the rear of the Students' Union to accommodate the new extension. Hopefully work will start soon on it.

[philkeavo]

The work at The Percy Gee building is moving at quite apace, see the architects website to look at the images, very impressive!

http://www.seh.co.uk/#/projects/00074/

[philkeavo]

I have not seen the Development Framework Plan before, gives a 'semi' skyscraper esq skyline.

http://www.seh.co.uk/#/projects/00030/