Council plans to turn its headquarters into a creative hub
Purcell has landed a job to convert Leamington Spa’s grade II-listed town hall into a creative hub.
The £175,000 contract will see the heritage practice work with Warwick district council to refurbish the 19th century building, which serves as the council’s headquarters, through RIBA stages 1 to 6.
Purcell beat 11 other bidders to the job, which was first put out to tender in April with a scheduled start in July but has been held back for several months by administrative issues.
The council said the aim of the project is for the town hall to become an “attractive proposition to the creative sector and, more broadly, the people who live, work and visit the area”.
It is understood the objective is for the building to become part of Leamington Spa’s nearby cultural quarter. The council has been the main occupier since 2002 and it is not yet known if they will move to different premises.
Designed by John Cundall and built in 1884, the sandstone and red brick building combines aspects of both the Tudor and French baroque styles.
Purcell is currently working on the £330m refurbishment of the grade I-listed Manchester town hall, with the restoration of the Alfred Waterhouse-designed landmark set to complete in 2024.
Last month the practice was also appointed to design a visitor centre at the grade I-listed Harcourt Arboretum in Oxfordshire.
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