FWP’S Vision for Transformation of Historic Preston Building Comes to Life

Leading architecture, design and masterplanning practice FWP’s vision for one of Preston city centre’s most historic buildings is coming to life.
The conversion of Amounderness House into a modern and flexible workspace hub is now beginning to take shape, as these new images reveal.
The £9m-plus regeneration of the city’s historic magistrates court is a major part of Preston’s £200m wider Harris Quarter regeneration.

Amounderness House was originally constructed in 1857 as a police station with holding cells, before being extended in 1901.
FWP’s transformation includes a striking new entrance that will enable the building to function as a “modern commercial space”.
The FWP design also includes turning the building’s courtyard area into a vibrant public space that will act as a centrepiece of the development.
Key spaces, including the building’s historic cells, are being retained and transformed into new craft, studio and retail spaces.
And a central hub is being developed on the ground floor and will feature breakout, ‘hot desk’, and social space, along with self-contained office units.

Mike Turner, FWP’s architectural lead on the project, said: “It’s great to see the project now reaching a stage where the transformation is becoming visible.
“The new steel-framed extension is now in place, and the brick façade that will form the main entrance from the courtyard is taking shape.
“Internally, a new second-floor level has been installed within the former double-height courtroom floor level, allowing the building to evolve from two storeys to three while making the most of the existing structure.
“Throughout the works, we’ve continued to carefully assess and preserve the building’s historic character wherever possible.
“While much of the original fabric was altered during refurbishments in the 1960s and 70s, features of real heritage value are being retained and restored.
“The former prison cell wing, with its brick barrel-vaulted ceilings, has been returned to bare brickwork and the original cell doors are being restored.
“We’re also restoring the original timber sash and casement windows wherever possible, with exact replicas being produced where repair isn’t viable.
“It’s rewarding to see these historic elements being brought back to life alongside the new interventions.”
He added: “We have worked closely with the city council on plans for this flagship project in Preston city centre. It has been a detailed and thoughtful process.
“Our design work has been focused on bringing a long-disused historic building back into use as a modern office hub that meets the needs of businesses, while preserving its great character.”

FWP, which is headquartered in Preston’s business district, has played a major role in several high-profile projects in its home city, including leading on the award-winning £5m regeneration of its markets and the restoration of their iconic Victorian canopies.

Regionally and nationally, it has built a strong reputation for its expertise on sensitive restoration and regeneration projects including the recently completed transformation of Rochdale Town Hall.Founded in its home city of Preston in 1960, today its work covers all aspects of construction, from cost management to architecture and masterplanning. It is truly multi-disciplinary.
With offices in Manchester, Birmingham and London, for more than six decades FWP has played its part in delivering iconic developments across the UK.