The Civic Centre is set to be turned into flats, shops, offices, cafes and restaurants, bars, hot food takeaway, art gallery, gym, creche and day nursery, The Plymouth Herald reports, while highlighting that the Grade II listed Civic Centre dates from the 1960s and remains central to the Abercrombie Plan for Plymouth.
image: Seán O’Reilly
The Plymouth Herald writes:
A long-awaited scheme to convert the empty Civic Centre tower block in Plymouth into flats is set to be given the go-ahead….
Planning applications to create 144 homes in the 14-floor landmark building in Armada Way are being recommended for approval.
The scheme also proposes a mix of uses for the ground and first floors including shops, offices, cafes and restaurants, bars, hot food takeaway, art gallery, gym, creche and day nursery.
Planned changes to the building include:
- demolishing part of the north block and reception area;
- a glazed extension on the ground floor between the Civic Centre and Council House;
- replacement facades including new glazing and cladding and other alterations;
- new public realm work including a staircase towards the Theatre Royal;
- new public space under the tower and work inside and on the roof.
The Civic Centre opened in 1962 as a flagship building in the post-war redevelopment of the bomb-damaged city.
It was the headquarters of the city council, bringing together all its services in a single administrative centre.
The site is currently boarded up and faces onto the Civic Square, next to the Council House which has the main council chamber and meeting rooms.
The applications for planning permission and listed building consent are due to be decided at a meeting of the city council’s planning committee on Thursday, January 16….
The plans drawn up by Dartington-based architects Gillespie Yunnie for developer Urban Splash include a roof terrace for residents, which is proposed to be open for public access on 12 days a year, including heritage open days.
There would be 43 parking spaces for the flats, which the highways authority says is acceptable because the building is close to bus routes and public car parks.
Although the developer has not put a figure on the cost of the scheme, it has been estimated at £40m.
For more background see Business Live and Architects Journal
