The University of Plymouth has reaffirmed its commitment to the South West's health services by signing the lease to take over a landmark building in which it will train future generations of health professionals.
The Intercity Place project will involve the complete regeneration of an 11-storey building overlooking Plymouth Railway Station.
It will be reconfigured and refurbished throughout - with the exterior also being rejuvenated - so that the finished development creates a striking and welcoming entrance to Britain's Ocean City.
The University has now leased the building from Network Rail, and work will begin imminently to give the building a new lease of life.
Once completed, it will house inter-professional clinical skills facilities for the University's Faculty of Health and be used to train future nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals.
There will also be additional educational services, enabling staff to work together in one location to support the future health workforce.
The Intercity Place project forms part of the University's wider Campus Masterplan, which outlines plans to invest in its campus and the city over the next decade.
Planning consent to change the use of the building for educational use, and to fully renovate the building, has already been granted with permission also given to install scaffolding and to wrap all elevations during the construction phase.
Mike Gallop, director of Western Route at Network Rail, added:
"We are excited to play our part in supporting the education of future key and essential workers in the health profession. It will be great for passengers arriving at Plymouth station to see this building with a new lease of life and meaning. We hope it will attract many students to Britain's Ocean City to embark on their careers."
The project has the backing of the Heart of the SW LEP, Cornwall Council, the Department for Transport and the Cabinet Office, as well as Plymouth City Council and Great Western Railway.
It is part of the wider regeneration of the railway station and the area around it, which is being led by Plymouth City Council. Following public consultation last summer a masterplan for the area has been agreed, which will include new high-quality public realm, including a direct pedestrian link between the station and the city centre, a new car park, hotel, station offices and a refurbished station concourse.
When finished, the project will massively improve the welcome for visitors and commuters arriving in Britain's Ocean City.
