Architect chosen for theatre makeover

The £14m transformation of West Yorkshire Playouse has moved a step forward with the appointment of architects to design the scheme.
Glasgow-based Page\Park Architects have been appointed to design the transformation of West Yorkshire PlayhouseGlasgow-based Page\Park Architects have been appointed to design the transformation of West Yorkshire Playhouse
Glasgow-based Page\Park Architects have been appointed to design the transformation of West Yorkshire Playhouse

Leeds City Council has appointed Page\Park Architects to develop the design proposals for the theatre’s transformation, which aims to deliver improved access to the theatre, upgrade backstage and infrastructural equipment, create a new city-facing entrance and add a new studio theatre space.

The Glasgow-based architects have previously designed improvements for The Centre for Contemporary Arts and the Theatre Royal in Glasgow and Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.

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Coun Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “It’s exciting to see this landmark project, which will transform one of the city’s key cultural institutions, taking such an important step forward.”

She added: “As we also look ahead to our bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2023, we also know the Playhouse will be absolutely integral to our future ambitions to provide a truly world class cultural offering.”

West Yorkshire Playhouse’s executive director Robin Hawkes said: “It’s tremendously exciting to be working with a practice with such a wealth of theatre and cultural organisation experience.

“We were hugely impressed both by their conceptual ideas for the future of the Playhouse building and by how clearly they understood our vision and values, as a vital theatre rooted in our communities and a great artistic beacon for the north.”

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Nicola Walls, Page\Park director, added: ‘We are delighted to have won the commission offered by the city council for the exciting new project for the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and to be able to bring our theatre experience, at the Centre for Contemporary Art and Theatre Royal in Glasgow and the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, to transform the public face of the building in the context of the council’s exciting regeneration proposals for this part of the city centre.”

The appointment follows the council’s initial application to Arts Council England and an invitation to make a further application for a grant of £6.6m towards the cost of the project. If the stage two application is successful, construction work could begin in the second half of 2017, with completion in late 2018. The project is expected to see the council commit £4.9m towards the cost of the refurbishment of the theatre building.

Construction is likely to involve a period of closure so planning will also begin for the continuation of the Playhouse’s programme off-site.