Kier has been selected to deliver the first phase of early works on a new £300 million campus development for Cardiff University.

The contractor will build two facilities worth £135m as part of the major Innovation Campus (CIC) development at the University. Work is scheduled to begin early next year, with completion scheduled for 2018.

The first facility will house 'SPARK', the world's first social science research park, and the Innovation Centre – a creative space for start-ups, spin-outs and partnership working.

The second building will contain two scientific research establishments - the Institute for Compound Semiconductors and Cardiff Catalysis Institute. In addition, Kier will develop a bridge linking Cardiff Business School with CIC.


Anthony Irving, managing director, Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: "This contract brings together our national, sector-leading experience in the science and technology field and our local expertise, building on Kier's strong presence in Cardiff and the wider Wales region. We're looking forward to working with the university and a local workforce to deliver this next, exciting phase of the Innovation Campus."

Professor Hywel Thomas, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, added: "We are delighted to be working with Kier as preferred bidder on Cardiff Innovation Campus. The two new buildings will be home to world-leading research centres with the power to not only unlock the economic potential of catalysis and Compound Semiconductors, but to harness the application of social science to solve pressing global problems."

(LM)