George Forbes Building - Stage 3
About the Project
Leighs Construction delivered Stage 3 of the George Forbes Building redevelopment at Lincoln University, transforming the ground and first floors into a new, prominent gateway to campus.
Completed in January 2025, the project combined partial demolition, refurbishment, and new build works within a live university environment. The upgrade balances contemporary functionality with respect for the building’s historic fabric, enhancing circulation, accessibility, and the arrival experience for students, staff, and visitors.
The project builds on Leighs’ long-standing relationship with Lincoln University and follows previous award-winning work on campus.
Lincoln University
Client
January 2025
Completed
Lincoln
Location
Stage 3 focused on reshaping the building’s lower levels to create a modern, welcoming entrance while maintaining operations in the six occupied floors above throughout construction.
Works included removal of the existing protruding façade, construction of a new double-storey lobby, and significant services upgrades. Elements of the original building, including front brick columns, were carefully retained and integrated into the new design, creating a clear visual link between past and present.
Cultural and landscape features, including a commissioned pou and tukutuku-patterned paving, reinforce the building’s role as a meaningful threshold to the campus.
Delivering the project within a live campus environment required careful sequencing, temporary works, and constant stakeholder coordination. Emergency egress routes, teaching spaces, and a live server room were maintained at all times.
Key challenges included integrating new services within tight ceiling spaces, managing undocumented existing services and asbestos, and installing large glue-laminated timber beams during winter conditions. Custom temporary works, including a purpose-designed external staircase, enabled the building to remain operational throughout construction.
Despite these complexities, the project was completed 19 working days ahead of programme and within budget.
Health and safety was central to the project’s success, with work carried out in close proximity to students, staff, and public areas. The project was completed with no lost-time injuries, and the site was recognised by Lincoln University’s safety team for its culture and conduct.
Early Involvement allowed Leighs to work closely with the client and consultants during pre-construction, shaping methodology, sequencing, and temporary works to reduce disruption and risk.
Sustainability was addressed through careful material reuse, including the retention and integration of original brick columns, minimising demolition waste and preserving elements of the building’s history.
The George Forbes Building Stage 3 project delivers a functional, culturally grounded, and visually striking gateway to Lincoln University. Leighs is proud to have delivered a technically complex refurbishment that respects the building’s heritage while meeting the demands of a modern, active campus.
