From June - August 2026, Property Division will undertake a project to refurbish the ground floor of the Commonwealth Building, a central area of Imperial's Hammersmith Hospital Campus.

These upgrades will see the spaces modernised, providing around 30 new collaborative areas, 5 meeting rooms, and enhanced spaces for Property Operations.

The President's Fund will also support further improvements to outdoor spaces, including new planting and street furniture. Additionally, refurbishment of the board room is under review.

A visual representation of the works is viewable below:

To minimise disruption, works will be broken down into three phases, as listed below.

Building users will be kept informed about developments throughout the works.

For questions, please reach out to Project Manager Wilson Rios (w.rios@imperial.ac.uk).

 

Phases of the project

Phase 1: 1 June - 12 July
  • Hordings will be erected across the existing Facilities Management office, with the team moving to other maintenance offices across the site (the team will still available as normal)
  • The main entrance on the ground floor of the Commonwealth Building (ICTEM side) will close during phase 1. All staff and students should use the main entrance of the ICTEM Building and walk across the link bridge for access. Access to the sub-basement spaces will also be available by using the link bridge followed by the lifts.
  • Security will be re-located to Burlington Danes permanently.
  • The 'out of hours' access to the library will remain in the same location.
  • The post room will remain in the same location and fully operational.
Phase 2: 13 July – 13 August
  • During phase 2, the Post Room will move to a new location (details TBC).
  • The main entrance on the ground floor of the Commonwealth Building will re-open for access (following the removal of the speed gates).
  • Changes to the 'out of hours' library access will be confirmed and communicated to building users in due course.
  • Some disruption to main staircase and level 1 are expected as options to replace flooring are explored.
Phase 3: 14 August - 27 August
  • Disruption to 'out of hours' library access is expected to continue across phase 3, with details to be confirmed to building users in due course.
  • The accessible toilet on the ground floor will be out of use during phase 3 of works. Accessible toilets on other floors will remain in operation and can be reached via lifts.
What's not changing
  • The library will remain open and operational as normal across the duration of the project.
  • Ex Libris bar and cafe and the Hammersmith Hospital Move gym remain open throughout.
  • Fire routes and evacuation plans will also be unchanged during these works.