The city centre development – delivered in conjunction with City of Wolverhampton College and supported by Turner and Townsend – is in the running for the honour in the Public Sector category.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on Friday 26 June, and will gain national recognition by progressing to the UK Grand Final.
The new City of Wolverhampton College campus, alongside ongoing improvements to the neighbouring Adult Education Wolverhampton and Central Library facilities, form the £61 million City Learning Quarter at the heart of the city centre.
It marks the dawn of a new era for educational provision in the city, supporting the council’s drive to enhance skills and employment outcomes for its residents.
The new college campus opened its doors in November, paving the way for students to move from the 1960s Paget Road site, to a state of the art facility offering A Levels in a range of subjects and vocational qualifications in art, design and photography, business and management, catering and hospitality, computing and digital, creative media, games design and e-sports, hair and beauty, health and social care, music technology, performing arts, and science.
Situated around the Old Hall Street and St George’s Parade area, incorporating a site on the corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street where the former Faces nightclub building once stood, the eye catching development also utilised the existing Metro One building.
Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said: “To be shortlisted for this prestigious award is recognition of all the hard work and commitment by the council and college, supported by partners, to deliver the City Learning Quarter as part of our drive to improve skills and employment outcomes for Wolverhampton residents.
“Seeing the students enjoying the state of the art campus and the opportunities it presents them to thrive is hugely rewarding.
“The City Learning Quarter provides excellent connectivity to rail, bus, tram and cycle routes and acts as a focal point, bringing vibrancy to the city centre, with students, staff and visitors boosting footfall to support neighbouring businesses.”
Louise Fall, Principal and Chief Executive of the College, said: “Although the CLQ campus has only been open for 6 months, it is already a well recognised landmark in the city centre and its state of the art facilities are already attracting hundreds of students from across the region who wish to study at the site in the next academic year.
“We are extremely proud of the building – not only for the college and its students, but for the wider city – and are pleased to hear that its iconic design has been shortlisted for this award.”
The city centre development is the second phase of the council’s City Learning Quarter masterplan. Phase one – a new £8.1 million Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre at the college’s Wellington Road campus – opened to students in September 2024.
