Civic Buildings

Generating income to secure long-term futures

We are working for a range of City Councils, London Boroughs and Local Authorities on their Town Halls and other Civic buildings. They have often outgrown these buildings and while they are keen to retain their civic functions, we can help in re-purposing redundant space to generate income.

In Manchester and Liverpool, Nottingham and Newcastle, London and the South East, South Wales and East Anglia we are working with our public sector clients to maximise commercial return from their civic building stock, re-purposing to commercial workspace, business incubation and residential uses while protecting civic functions and other public uses.

Manchester Town Hall

Re-establishing the Town Hall as the civic heart of Manchester while generating income for the City Council

Manchester Town Hall is a 19th century Grade I listed building of international significance and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Purcell are leading a £330m refurbishment project to restore the façades and interiors, re-purposing the Town Hall to generate income for the City Council. The project will safeguard its status as the civic heart of the city. This immense refurbishment project is currently on site but to date we have collaborated with the City Council to ensure the Council’s social value commitments are met. So far, Purcell and the Design Team have created apprenticeships, work placements, student support with research and employment. Local schools have benefited from careers advice and employment sessions.

Norfolk County Hall, Norwich

Realising a vision for innovative workspaces and civic areas that are accessible for everyone

Purcell has refurbished Norfolk County Hall, putting the Council’s vision of equal opportunities and accessibility for their staff at the heart of the site. Open, flexible, and adaptable workspaces have replaced outdated cellular offices. The mix of flexible and adaptable workspaces include adjustable working desks, quiet spaces, meeting rooms and breakout areas. A new staff restaurant area has also been included within the informal working environment. Within the Civic Area, new accessiblity has been introduced to ensure the spaces are fit for everyone. The Civic Chamber has been modernised and updated to reflect the changes in technology and working. County Hall sets a innovative example of what civic and work spaces can be in the future.

Parliamentary Estate

Working with both Houses of Parliament to expand workplace and improve access and security

We have been working at the Palace of Westminster and the Parliamentary Estate since 2001. For nearly two decades, we have worked on numerous refurbishment projects to create additional workplace whilst re-presenting historic interiors. These projects have often included improving security and access measures. Our work has also involved the conservation and repair of historic building fabric of both interior spaces and external façades and roofs. Current or recently completed, projects have included the comprehensive refurbishment of the Millbank Island Site, the repair and refurbishment of the Queen Elizabeth Tower, the repair of the cast-iron roofs across the historic Palace of Westminster, the relighting of Westminster Hall together with numerous security and access improvement projects.

Camden Town Hall, London

Bringing new life and purpose to a local landmark

The London Borough of Camden is revitalising its historic Grade II listed Town Hall. Purcell are leading a multi-disciplinary team (under the contractor Lend Lease) in the restoration of the external stone and glazed brick façades and internally, the refurbishment of key civic spaces including the Council Chamber, Committee Room and Camden Centre Assembly Hall. The listed building will also house new wedding suites and enhanced Registry together with Category A&B state-of-the-art workplace across upper levels to generate income for the Council. The proposals will sensitively enhance parts of the building of most historic significance, improve environmental and thermal efficiency and introduce modern technology to spaces for council functions, public services and events.

Maesteg Town Hall, Bridgend

Reviving a local cultural centre

Working with Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) and the Awen Cultural Trust, Purcell is developing Maesteg Town Hall, extending and refurbishing what has been the cultural heartbeat of the Llynfi Valley for almost 140 years. It represents one of the biggest investments in Maesteg for decades. Our design provides an enhanced performance space, studio, and community learning space, accessed via a re-conceived front of house which presents a new image to the town.

Additional works have included conversion of the existing market space into a community library with work pods for start-up business, as well as a local history centre and café.

Hammersmith Town Hall, London

Regenerating the civic heart of Hammersmith

Hammersmith Town Hall is at the heart of the wider Civic Campus regeneration project. Working closely with Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council, and the architects Rogers Stirk Harbour, Purcell are responsible for the restoration of the Grade II listed Town Hall. The Town Hall features materials and craftsmanship of a high standard together with a fine sequence of virtually unaltered public and civic interiors. These are under-performing for office and civic uses.

We are producing façade surveys and repair drawings to define a costed scope of work. The scheme sensitively creates a new residential development around the building. The Town Hall will retain civic and political function rooms whilst introducing new commercial and business functions.

Nottingham Castle

Transforming a much-loved historic building into a world-class visitor attraction

Purcell, alongside Nottingham City Council and the Nottingham Castle Trust, transformed the Castle into a world-class heritage attraction of national and international significance. The aim was to reinstate its importance for both the local community and visitors from around the world. From entering through the gatehouse, a contemporary entrance pavilion will welcome visitors and encourage them to explore the castle grounds. There is a large extension planned for the courtyard of the Ducal Palace to increase exhibition area and provide new gallery spaces. The project includes extensive repairs to the fabric with a comprehensive refurbishment of the buildings and galleries. It also includes a new sustainable visitor centre and access to a network of caves.

National Gallery, London

A long relationship with a key national landmark

Purcell has been working continuously at the National Gallery for over 30 years. We have undertaken a wide range of projects including creation and refurbishment of galleries, fit-out of commercial facilities including hospitality and retail spaces and redesign of support spaces and staff workplaces.

Most recently, we have been working on a masterplan to assess the site’s development potential. The masterplan identifies and analyses the challenges the Gallery is currently facing. It establishes a vision informed by the Gallery’s aspirations for the 21st century – more open, more ambitious, more dynamic and more connected.

Ministry of Justice

Improving courts for the 21st century

Purcell has worked with the Ministry of Justice and the Courts and Tribunal Service for several years. Projects have included preparing historic assets for disposal on the open market as well as updating retained assets in relation to their operation and taking advantage of contemporary technology. We have worked at several sites including Aylesbury Crown Court, City of London Magistrates Court, Lewes Combined Court, Kings Lynn Magistrates Court, Taunton Combined Court and Reading Crown Courts.

At the Royal Courts of Justice, we have completed alterations to improve its functionality, repairs to maintain its historic fabric and surveys to understand its condition. Most recently, we prepared an application to Historic England for an Enhanced Listing.