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Queen's University students, staff and alumni watched on as the Students' Union building was torn down on Wednesday afternoon.

It's to make way for a new "world class" Student Centre, which is expected to open in two years' time in hope to provide a ‘student home’ at the heart of the campus for the 24,000-student body.

The building closed its doors in summer 2019 and relocated to temporary location across two venues in SU Elmwood and The Speakeasy to begin preparations for work.

(Image: RPP & Hawkins\Brown)

A spokesperson for Queen's Students' Union said: "Our vision is to be a leading University and Students' Union and this project is a giant step towards achieving our ambition.

"We want to create a social, open and flexible space, which can cater for the changing needs of students and create a new heartbeat for life on campus.

"The new Student Centre will transform the provision of student services and support offered by the University and the Students' Union, pulling these together into one central, state of the art facility."

Hawkins\Brown and local architect RPP have designed the New Student Centre as part of Queen’s University’s long-term vision to develop state-of-the-art facilities across the university estate.

The four-storey building will provide a central location for all non-faculty services on campus, including the SU, student guidance, informal learning zones, club rooms, supporting offices, multi-purpose hall, SU Bar, catering and retail outlets.

Julia Roberts, project partner, said: “The New Student Centre will provide a real home from home on campus, particularly for those students who commute into Belfast daily.

"The large social stair draws students up through the building, showcasing and creating the accessible, approachable and valuable services Queen’s University has on offer. The interiors are mature and reflect a more co-working environment way of working.”

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