gumption blog
This project is now just subject to final planning permission.
"While the loss of the Odeon's turrets and façade would be regretted, we are satisfied that the benefits of the proposal would outweigh the harm which it would cause. English Heritage would therefore support the revised scheme."
Check out the PLANS. On balance, we think it has to happen.
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- Just heard that the council have sanctioned a £6m loan to the construction company building the Southgate complex. This will be repaid within a year, with interest.
Good move. Let's get it up and get those city centre jobs created. -
- Hi Michaela. You are very welcome.
It's great to have an architect's point of view on these projects.
Just to let you know, the pool in the City Park is very shallow and will be drained and cleaned daily. No shopping carts here! It can then facilitate up to 10,000 people for arts and other outdoor festival events. Just as you hoped. It's gonna be fab! -
- Hi David, Michaela Nash here. Thanks so much for the chat and all the advice you gave me yesterday - I went away buzzing with enthusiasm!! I've had a good look at the development info re New Victoria Place and the City Park. Wow - How Bradford has changed over the last 10 years or so! Being born and growing up in Bradford I think that it's great that Bradford is in recent years getting more and more recognition - about time too! I think the new ideas will bring a fresh vibrance to the city and hopefully encourage more economic growth. I hope the proposals can incorporate and draw upon some of the rich heritage that Bradford has as well as taking it into the 21st century.
Speaking with my Architectural hat on - personally I think it's a shame that the old Odeon Building has been left to ruin for such a long time and i'll be a bit sorry to see it go, but all things considered, the new scheme certainly looks like it will put Bradford on the map and provide a good flow from the main centre out towards the University etc. The proposals for the new building I think could also benefit from the inclusion of a cinema too - along the lines of The Light in Leeds. If the new proposals work as well as that - I think Bradford will be strong competition for Leeds!! It'd be nice to see a bit of a link with the Alhambra too - perhaps with some outdoor performance spaces in the City Park?! -
- Bradford Council has just agreed to the demolition of the Odeon buildings to make way for the £40m New Victoria Place development. New Victoria Place will create prime office space, city centre accommodation, a 98-bed hotel, bars, cafes and community leisure facilities.
They can't demolish though until they have the construction contracts, etc in place.
But now it's been decided, let's hope they just get on with it.
Let's also hope that they take EXTRA measures to maximise opportunities for very small local businesses too.
We need this new face lift and all the jobs that will follow. -
- Just found out that the Southgate development (across the road from the Odeon) needs a commercial loan from Bradford Council for cash flow reasons or they'll have to halt work. Please, not another Westfield!
However, they also tell us that his project is already fully let with National Provident moving into the offices and Jury's Inn creating the hotel & conferencing centre.
If the council carry out proper due diligence checks and it is a loan of last resort (to be repaid), then it should surely be supported. What other options are there? -
- Hi, It's primarily Grade A offices, but like most of these new builds it's also following the mixed income model with shops and restaurants on the ground floor. Sustainability's important! There are also apartments behind the main building too.
For me, it's more about city confidence and linking the city centre through to the Learning area of the college and university developments that will be taking place soon.
With the Southgate project currently being built and the City Park project (see the blog) about to start, it's going to be a messy old place for a while! If you click on the web link within the main blog post, you'll see scrolling images from different areas. Hope that's of help. -
- it looks good, whats the new building going to be used for?