Lincoln College – Turl Street and Mitre Accommodation

Lincoln College wanted to breathe new life into historic buildings while creating better spaces for students, visitors and future tenants.

Working within listed buildings in the middle of Oxford required care, patience and plenty of collaboration.

Protecting character while planning for the future

The Mitre building and neighbouring Turl Yard had reached a point where refurbishment could no longer wait. The accommodation needed updating for students while also supporting conference and holiday use outside term time.

We provided project management and geo-spatial services, leading design team procurement and helping assemble specialists with experience in heritage projects.

The works introduced en-suite bathrooms, improved access and updated building services, alongside a new lodge and entrance building. The aim was not simply to restore old buildings, but to help them work better for the future too.

Managing people as well as projects

Working in a busy city centre meant managing far more than construction activity. Shops remained open below student accommodation and multiple tenants had different needs and legal requirements.

We worked closely with tenants, legal teams and the College to help navigate those relationships and maintain progress. Meetings, discussions and careful planning helped keep everyone informed as works moved forward.

In some areas, construction continued while businesses carried on around it. Good communication made a big difference.

Giving historic buildings a new chapter

The wider programme included the transformation of the former NatWest bank at 120 High Street, creating new residential apartments and preparing the ground floor for its future use by The Ivy.

Challenges emerged along the way, including asbestos discoveries and level differences across the site. By working closely with the contractor and design team, solutions were found and progress continued.

The result is a collection of refreshed buildings that respect Oxford’s character while creating spaces designed for modern use – supporting students, visitors and city life for years to come.