Just over two years after guests celebrated the structure of the new Southside building being completed, the Eastside project has reached the same milestone. With the project currently running six weeks ahead of schedule, the actual core structure was completed some time ago.

Sir Roy Anderson puts the finishing touches on his concrete-encased sprig of yew

At the same stage in 2006 Live! reported the project as being 'on time and on budget', however there was still a last-minute rush to get the building open, as the internal fit-out was completed late. With six weeks in hand it is looking more promising this time around, with the advanced programme being due to lessons learnt during Southside construction. Laing O'Rourke are once again using pre-fabricated items for assembly on site, which has contributed to an excellent safety record so far (well, most of the time).

In a speech to guests, Rector Sir Roy Anderson described the good communication the College had maintained with local residents, hinting that further building works were likely at the north end of Prince's Gardens. Like his predecessor, he praised the building being on time and on budget - something which he joked he had not seen whilst at the Ministry of Defence.

Although the exterior of the building is well advanced, with many parts looking almost finished, Director of Commercial Services, Paddy Jackman, described it as "draughty, particularly round the back". Jackman and the Director of Building Projects, Steve Howe, are over-seeing the project to ensure its timely completion.

The name for the new bar in Eastside has still not been finalised - suggestions below please!

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