We're delighted to open several new spaces in The Garrod Building this week. Read more about the project and what's coming soon too!
The Garrod Building is finally opening back up for students, following a £11.2 million refurbishment project by the university. The building is already looking incredible, and there’s plenty more to be come in the run up to the grand opening when the project completes in early 2024.
Lots of the spaces aren’t exactly finished (try to spot some old furniture from the BLSA Building), but we wanted to get the spaces open as soon as possible for everyone to enjoy.
Read ahead and find out more about the new spaces that are open, where to find them and what’s planned for the next few months. All of the new spaces below are open 8:00am-10:00pm, 7 days a week, a huge improvement on our opening times in the old BLSA Building.
If you have any feedback on the Garrod project please contact me at president@bartslondon.com or the project team on su-garrodproject@qmul.ac.uk.
Old Library
This beautiful space located on the ground floor mixes old and new, respecting the heritage and history of the Garrod Building, but now transformed into a new space for studying, socialising and relaxing. It will also be home to special events and performances throughout the year.
Please note the following works are still to take place in the space between now and the end of January 2024;
- Additional planting and lighting to be added throughout the space
- Heritage artwork and signage to be installed
- Changes to the banquette seating around the edge of the room to make it more comfortable
- The rear wall had damp damage. This is now fixed but we are waiting for the wall to fully dry out before repainting this area.
Multi-Faith Centre
Our new faith, contemplation and reflection spaces are now open to all on the third floor (via the North Staircase). Full ablution facilities and shoe racks are available for students who require these too.
The corridor area and staircase leading up to the Multi-Faith Centre is yet to be redecorated and refurbished in line with the rest of the building. This work will take place in early 2024, so please bear with us for now until this takes place, our first priority was to get these spaces open as soon as possible.
Please note the Multi-Faith Centre will open later at 11:30am on Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 November due to further works taking place in the space.
Old Library Balcony
This cosy, quiet space on the first floor offers an alternative space for studying and relaxing. During the project, the old screening has been removed so this area now opens up and connects fully with the Old Library below, opening up this area for events too. Please excuse the current bright red leather furniture(!), this is due to be replaced in early 2024, but for now please enjoy this new snug space above the Old Library.
Recovery Rooms and Student Kitchen
These multi-purpose activity spaces can be found on the second floor and are partially-open for students to use. This space is designed for socialising and relaxing. When fully complete it will feature a student kitchen with microwaves, hot water taps and fridge space. It will also be home to free-to-use games and activities, comfy furniture to relax on and a bookable space for Clubs & Societies to use.
This room is not complete, but has been opened to provide students with additional space using temporary furniture from the previous BLSA Building.
New furniture, games, plants and kitchen equipment are due to arrive in early 2024.
Coming soon....
Behind the mystery hoarding in the foyer is The Griff, a brand new cafe, kitchen & bar space on the ground floor. Unfortunately, this space will not open until early 2024, so for now the current Griff Inn remains open until the end of term.
Head over to @OfficialBLSA for our special closing & Christmas events