University of Nottingham Launches Sale of Castle Meadow Campus in City Centre

The University of Nottingham has initiated the sale of its Castle Meadow Campus, situated in the heart of Nottingham’s City Centre, by appointing CBRE’s capital markets and development team to identify a suitable buyer.

Spanning 10.6 acres, the campus boasts seven Grade II listed buildings, including six office blocks and a central amenity building, all set within a meticulously landscaped environment. Designed by the acclaimed architect Sir Michael Hopkins, the site is notable for being the first UK building to achieve the highest possible score in BREEAM’s Environmental Assessment, reflecting its pioneering sustainable design.

Located within walking distance of Nottingham’s commercial district, the campus benefits from proximity to a variety of high-quality restaurants, bars, retail outlets, and leisure facilities. Transport links are strong, with a tram stop and Nottingham Station both less than ten minutes away on foot, offering excellent local and national connectivity.

The sale presents investors with an opportunity to acquire a significant city centre asset that currently generates income through leased buildings. Additionally, there is potential for value enhancement through redevelopment or repositioning of the vacant properties, including the possibility of alternative uses.

Tom Nock, associate director in CBRE’s capital markets team, described the offering as “a rare opportunity to invest in a city centre site of considerable scale, situated in an established and vibrant area, and that also has significant value-add and repositioning prospects.” He added, “Its modern buildings and ample green spaces are versatile, meaning the right investor can make their mark on the site. The Grade II listed buildings are recognised for exceptional architectural quality and pioneering sustainable design, offering a rare opportunity for heritage-led regeneration and sensitive repositioning.”

Nock further highlighted Nottingham’s status as “the economic hub of the East Midlands,” noting the city is “currently benefiting from significant and planned investment,” making this an ideal moment for investors to capitalise on the city’s ongoing growth and development.

Gary Moss, Chief Property & Facilities Officer at the University of Nottingham, explained that the sale aligns with the university’s long-term estates strategy aimed at reducing the overall size of its property portfolio to enhance experiences for staff and students. He emphasised the university’s awareness of the site’s local importance and its commitment to working closely with CBRE to secure an investor who will contribute to further investment and growth within Nottingham City Centre.