The first Esports facility in the region is set to be built at the University of Suffolk – with work set to begin this month.
The university has partnered with Concertus to deliver the £1.65 million facility at its Ipswich Campus, with Barnes Construction as the contractor.
The project will transform the Long Street building into a state-of-the-art Esports space supporting the university’s new BA (Hons) ESports course, which starts in September this year.
Nigel Lucker, Director of Estates at the University of Suffolk, said: “This is an exciting time for us as we invest in new courses and facilities.
“These exciting new Esports facilities will not only attract students to come and study with us but will also give them the key skills to embark on their careers in this dynamic new sector.
“We are delighted to be working with Concertus and Barnes Construction. This collaboration aims to leverage local expertise and resources to ensure the success of this project.”
The demolition phase is set to begin on April 14, with construction of the facility following immediately afterwards.
Kelly Content, Associate for Architecture at Concertus, said: “We’re excited to bring this project to life in collaboration with the Estates Directorate at the University of Suffolk, delivering one of East Anglia’s first Esports facilities.
“The building will include a teaching facility on the ground floor, with a broadcast room, podcasting suite, and gaming zone on the first floor.”
The Long Street building will undergo a complete refurbishment, including external landscaping, architectural enhancements and interior design upgrades.
The transformation will also include a full fit-out with signage and LED lighting, creating an immersive Esports gaming experience for new students.
With high-quality live streaming and remote broadcasting capabilities, the facility will be equipped to host events within the university and the wider Esports industry.
Damien Kerry, Director at Barnes Construction, said: “We are really pleased to be able to continue our close relationship with the University of Suffolk to deliver an exciting new space for an exciting new curriculum.
“We look forward to working closely with Concertus and the University to deliver another excellent project for them.”