Heavyweights circle £600m Oxford Uni scheme

Industry heavyweights are circling a £600m plan to revamp teaching and accommodation buildings for Oxford University.

Contract Journal understands that Mace, Laing O'Rourke, Bam Construct and Sir Robert McAlpine are among the firms looking to win work on the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter project.

Demolition is now complete on the 4.2ha site in central Oxford, which formerly housed the Radcliffe Infirmary.

A detailed masterplan by architect Rafael Vinoly has been submitted to the local council and the University is expected to issue the first tender notices later this year.

One source close to the scheme said: "This is a massive project and a lot of major players have already thrown their hats in the ring.

"Contractors are chatting with the university people at the moment to see what work is coming-up and there will be a lot of nice jobs up for grabs here."

The site will be redeveloped in phases as the University authorities embark on a major fund-raising programme.

An Oxford spokeswoman said: "We haven't got any firm timetables yet for going out to tender.

"The development will be carried out piece-by-piece as we get funding in because of the sheer size of the plans."

One of the first major buildings will be a £180m humanities development designed by Bennetts Associates, which is due for completion by mid-2012.

The first new buildings are expected to be open on site in 2011 and include new student accommodation and a library for Sommerville College.

A local industry expert said: "McAlpine is generally the favourite for the University of Oxford, so it will be sniffing around this job. But I wouldn't take planning permission as a sign that it's a green light for this project actually happening, given the current financial climate."