Like its neighbours, the Refectory and Moberley Tower, the Student's Union Building was designed by J. S. Beaumont.  It was built between 1953 and 56.  It had a revamp in 1999.  The building is also known as the Steve Biko building, in honour of the South African activist.  Following the merger of the University of Manchester and UMIST there are now two student union buildings.  The second one is in the Barnes Wallis Building on the old UMIST Sackville Campus.