Main Quad and Wilkins Building upgrade

As part of UCL's Bicentennial Physical Legacy Project, the Main Quad and Wilkins Building have been transformed to create more accessible, sustainable and welcoming spaces for all.

A headshot of Hazel Genn, Pro-Provost (Bicentennial)

Professor Dame Hazel Genn

Pro-Provost (Bicentennial) and Project Sponsor

The bicentennial provided the impetus to forge ahead with important remodelling of the Main Quad and Wilkins Building to ensure that these iconic spaces are welcoming, accessible, and attractive – providing enhanced facilities for staff, students and the thousands of visitors that we welcome every year. 

The result beautifully blends our heritage with modern design, bringing new light and space to UCL’s 200-year-old Bloomsbury ‘front door’.

Watch Creating a Campus for All: Renewing the Main Quad and Wilkins Building at UCL on YouTube.

Project overview

UCL’s bicentenary provided a unique opportunity to celebrate the university’s rich history while investing in spaces that will support the next 200 years of teaching, research and community life. Estates led the transformation of the Main Quad and Wilkins Building, together with enhancements to Gordon Street, creating a lasting physical legacy for UCL’s bicentenary.

Located at the heart of UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, the Main Quad and Wilkins Building have been reimagined from places people simply passed through into vibrant destinations where students, staff and visitors can pause, connect and engage. These revitalised spaces now support learning, collaboration, events and everyday campus life.

What’s changed

The project has transformed both the Main Quad and Wilkins Building through a series of major improvements:

  • A transformed Main Quad; a key area for UCL’s public realm, created as a welcoming space for everyone to gather, celebrate and enjoy day-to-day
  • Significantly improved accessibility, including step-free routes, upgraded entrances, and a central lift connecting three floors within the Wilkins Building, from the Wilkins Refectory up to the Jeremy Bentham Room
  • Enhance uncoordinated and under-utilised spaces in the Wilkins Building by creating high-quality and appealing spaces for use by a range of stakeholders, which enables UCL to host more and higher quality events providing the potential to increase commercial opportunities.
  • Upgraded building infrastructure involving improved window glazing and the installation of air source heat pumps to enhance comfort for users of the space, as well as increasing energy efficiency through more sustainable heating methods.
  • The relocation of several offices, from within the Wilkins Building, to reduce fragmentation and bring academic units together to be more functional and productive through co-location.

Designed for the future

The project was guided by two key priorities: accessibility and sustainability. Every design element was carefully considered to create a better experience for all users.

The impact so far

Since reopening in February 2026, the Main Quad and Wilkins Building have quickly become one of the most active and well-used areas on campus.

500+ bookings secured for 2026

147 events hosted within three months of reopening

It feels like the space is really breathing life into a student focused environment. It looks amazing on its own, but it really comes alive when students are hanging out and using it.

Jannie Baluyan, UCL postgraduate student

Supporting campus life

Bringing art, history and technologies in one place

Project timeline

Creating high quality, accessible and inclusive spaces for our growing UCL community is a long-term undertaking that requires careful planning, specialist expertise and sustained commitment.

From the early consultant work that began before 2020 to project completion in 2026, this project has involved years of collaboration, professional knowledge and hard work from both internal teams and external partners.

Using the spaces

The Wilkins Building offers a range of flexible indoor spaces designed for learning, collaboration and events. From academic conferences, workshops and exhibitions to receptions, formal dinners and community events, these versatile venues can accommodate a wide variety of activities.

The Main Quad is a landmark outdoor space at the heart of campus, with capacity for up to 1,500 people. Ideal for Open Days, welcome events, graduation celebrations, festivals and student activities, it provides a vibrant setting for both major university events and everyday campus life.

Gordon Street enhancements

As part of UCL's Bicentennial Physical Legacy Works programme, Gordon Street has been transformed into a more welcoming and people-focused space.

Learn more

Get in touch

If you have questions about the works, feel free to contact the Project Team

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