Former St Andrews pupil has lead role in knocking down old school

Wednesday 25 January 2023
Kevin McMullan led the demolition of his old school

A former St Andrews secondary pupil has played a leading role in taking a wrecking ball to his old school.

Kevin McMullan, a project manager at the University of St Andrews, was at the helm as demolition experts knocked down dilapidated parts of the former Madras College building in the town’s South Street.

A former St Andrews secondary pupil has played a leading role in taking a wrecking ball to his old school.

Kevin McMullan, a project manager at the University of St Andrews, was at the helm as demolition experts knocked down dilapidated parts of the former Madras College building in the town’s South Street.

Kevin, who attended Madras College from 1995 to 2001, said it was both “exciting” and “very strange” to step back inside his old school shortly after it came into University ownership.

Describing the former school’s dark, empty swimming pool area as “the perfect setting for a horror movie”, Kevin said: “I hadn’t thought about the school much since I left all those years ago but knowing that I would be the project manager for the redevelopment was exciting and something I was looking forward to.”

He added: “Walking through the corridors brought back good memories as I enjoyed my time at the school, and I could remember having certain classes in the various rooms throughout the buildings.”

Since the programme of demolition at the former Madras College began in September last year it has generated a great deal of interest from former pupils, teachers, and local residents alike. Kevin said he is frequently asked for updates and requests for tours when the work is completed.

He said: “During the demolition phase I was getting asked all the time what is going on and what the plans are. So many people are interested in what happens to the “old Madras” that the University set up a special web page charting progress. This also includes unique drone footage of the site.

“People I speak to seem glad to hear the University has safeguarded the historic parts of the building, including the Quad, and that a new, sustainable design will give these buildings a new lease of life.

“Working with Avison Young and Safedem, we have now taken down all of the post-war buildings and cleared the site. It really is a vast area in the centre of the town and it will be exciting to see the next phase take shape.”

The demolition was undertaken to make way for the redevelopment of the historic site.

The University recently announced the appointment of award-winning architectural firm WilkinsonEyre to produce designs for its flagship New College project, which will include the new world-leading St Andrews Business School. The development will in large part be resourced via a fundraising campaign amongst St Andrews alumni and supporters.


The former Madras College, South Street, St Andrews will be given a new lease of life as the University of St Andrews 'New College', home to the new world-leading St Andrews Business School, resourced via a fundraising campaign amongst St Andrews alumni and supporters

Demolition works have cleared the 1960s and 1970s buildings which were situated at the rear of the site

Visit the Capital Projects web page for more details and photos.

Free to use Drone footage: University of St Andrews, New College development, December 2022 - YouTube

 

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