downing text 2012_Layout 1 - Downing College - University of ...

DOWNING COLLEGE ASSOCIATION30T HE J UNIOR B URSAR’ S R EPORTAs we near the end of another College Financial year, I am struck by how muchwe have achieved despite a chronic lack of capital; and thus how much we oweto support from our alumni and benefactors.Howard Court – originally the West Lodge Garden – has reverted to anorderly oasis 18 months after the Theatre building work, and the improvementsto grounds and paths has continued to spread – thanks to the continuinggenerosity of Alan and Jon Howard – around the rear of the Kenny Buildingsand the North Range. These works – new and stable drives, fully demarcatedparking bays, 50% more bike racks (and the majority covered), segregatedpedestrian walkways, electric vehicle charging points, and a new gate into theDowning Site – will be completed to coincide with the opening of the newstudent accommodation in 14 Regent Street. By 1 July 2012, the only area ofthe College access still requiring improvement and updating will be the stretchbetween the Main Gate and the Butterfield Building.14 Regent Street, formerly aninvestment property housingdark offices, has beentransformed by the addition of anew top floor – complete withlight wells to bring natural lightinto the heart of this 22-roomaccommodation project – andan Art Deco façade integratedinto the College grounds. Allrooms are fully en-suite, and of14 Regent Street, now called Griphon House.3 hotel standard, many with*superb views across the Libraryto the College grounds. Kitchenprovision is generous, formingnatural meeting areas under therooflights, and the building isalso equipped with a cardoperatedLaundry. All floors areaccessible by lift. This conversionwill be funded, in part, by the sale of 65 Lensfield Road (‘Waterloo House’)which is a 12-room hostel next to the ‘Snug’ pub.The summer will be devoted to a number of smaller maintenance projects,including an upgrade of the Butterfield Bar to provide more character, furtherimprovements to showers in the North Range and a disabled ramp leading