Bam Construction will undertake the multimillion-pound restoration of the 135-year-old Victoria building at Blackburn College structure. This project, sponsored by the Department for Education's (DfE) Further Education Capital Transformation Fund, will reportedly transform the top floor of the building into a creative area that can be used for students and community events.
(Photo : Insider Media/BAM Construction )
Restoration of Blackburn Building
Victoria building repairs, restoration, and revitalization will be possible through a £25 million or almost $32 million contribution from the Department for Education's Further Education Capital Transfer Fund. This project is a significant component of Blackburn with Darwen Council's Blackburn Town Centre Master Plan, and it is one of the largest rehabilitation of its kind in the United Kingdom.
As part of the Blackburn Learning Quarter, located in the middle of the town, Blackburn College has turned over the keys to the Victoria Building, which will be used for adult education and community activities. Some of the original floor plans will be reintroduced as part of the design to establish classrooms and meeting facilities. Additionally, the headmaster's office on the group level, paneled in wood, will be made available for rental. A live performance, exhibition, and creative space will also be established on the entire upper floor of the property to accommodate community and student events.
Thus, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Blackburn College, Dr. Fazal Dad, stated that the Victoria Building's rehabilitation will bring about new possibilities for all, revitalize a beautiful community and municipal asset, and improve learning facilities. Councillor Quesir Mahmood, who serves as the Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, noted that the Victoria Building is a legendary structural component of our larger expansion of the Blackburn Cultural Quarter overall. The Department of Education and Blackburn College have made an outstanding commitment, a boost the town is very grateful to receive.
On the other hand, as per John Phillips of BAM, the Victoria Building provides a noteworthy obstacle for BAM UK&I. It is reportedly necessary to perform detailed and delicate labor to preserve the integrity of the college's materials, which is a stunning edifice listed as grade II.
He also noted that while restoring this eye-catching structure to its former beauty, the building will be wrapped up in scaffolding and a canopy that protects it from the weather, allowing the construction to continue without interruption. Moreover, they will make it feasible to implement a remarkable improvement that will serve the faculty, students, and community members for many years.
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About Victoria Building
In 1888, the Victoria Building was constructed as part of an architectural competition to design a technical college facility. Both donors and members of the general public contributed to its funding, which was obtained through donations. The building was opened officially to celebrate both the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria and the accomplishments of Blackburn's industrial sector.
Accordingly, the building's decorative panels and stained-glass windows, which show diverse facets of science, technology, the arts, and manufacturing, clearly indicate the building's manufacturing past. Since its inception in March 1984, the Victoria Building has been regarded as a prime example of the architectural style known as the 'Northern Renaissance' and was awarded Grade II Listed Status.
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