Old Town Hall, Oldham is the refurbishment of a Grade 2 listed council office in Oldham. The building has been empty for roughly three decades before becoming the centre piece of Oldhams regeneration plan for the town centre. A seven screen cinema is carefully created within the existing building including ghe grand Ballroom and Courtroom. A new extension creates the required concessions and circulation for the cinema along with seven retail units.
Awards:
Constructing Excellence Award ‘Preservation and Rejuvenation’ 2017.
IStrucE North West Regional Award ‘Best Large Project’ 2017.
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce ‘Building of the Year 2017’.
Architect’s Journal Retrofit Award 2017. ‘Leisure category’.
RIBA North West Conservation Award 2017.
Manchester Architects Best Community (Built) 2017.
RICS North West 2017 Award – ‘Project of the Year’.
RICS North West 2017 Award – ‘Innovation through Design’.
RICS North West 2017 Award – ‘Regeneration’.
North West Regional Construction Awards 2017 – Preservation and Rejuvenation Award.
LABC North West Award 2017 – ‘Best Change of Use’.
GGB Award 2016 – ‘Best Built Project of the Year’. This is awarded in honour of the BDP founder Sir George Grenfell Baines.
Mixology North 2016 – ‘Hospitality Interiors Project of the Year’
Shortlisted for Awards
Manchester Architects Project of the Year (Shortlisted) 2017.
Publications
RIBA ‘Products In Practice’ Journal. July 2017. (download scan)
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Judges quote: The judges felt that the Oldham Town Hall redevelopment was a superb example of urban regeneration, bringing a hugely important historic landmark building back into use with a commercial enterprise which is already bringing economic life back to Oldham town centre.
That it still retains its original architectural details inside and out is nothing short of remarkable.
RIBA Judges quote: This is a somewhat unlikely conversion of the grand collection of Grade II listed civic buildings that formed Oldham’s Town Hall. They might have been demolished but for the determination of the Council to preserve them. A number of uses were considered and tested before it was finally decided to convert the buildings to a multi-screen cinema. This was a regenerative project driven by the viability of a future use rather than the most appropriate fit.
RICS Judges quote (Project of the Year): Standing out from an exceptional range of Winning Projects across all the categories, the judges awarded Project of the Year to Oldham Town Hall. The project celebrates a combination of integrated partnership working, innovation, commercial acumen and foresight in a challenging economic climate to deliver a truly outstanding centrepiece to Oldham City Centre. The blend of old and new, architectural preservation and enhancement alongside advanced technology are the key ingredients of this new visitor destination which is open to all.
Mixology Judges quote: Transforming this Grade 2 listed Town Hall into a multiplex cinema was no mean feat. The judges were really impressed with how the contemporary elements of the design were integrated into the project in such a sensitive way. A unique, meticulous and truly stunning renovation. Congratulations!
Image credits: BDP (Copyright retained by original authors).
