Modernist landmark was completed in 1962
BDP has unveiled its designs to transform Plymouth’s grade II-listed civic centre into housing and a skills hub for a local college.
The modernist former council office was completed in 1962 as part of the post-war reconstruction of Plymouth and granted protected status in 2007.
It has been empty since 2015, when the council vacated the building following its sale to developer Urban Splash for £1.
Several previous proposals for the site have been considered, including Akkeron Group’s plans to turn it into a hotel and proposals by Urban Splash to transform it into apartments, both of which were never implemented.
Plymouth council purchased the site back from Urban Splash for £1 last year after securing £8.7m in levelling up funding from the government.
The council’s plans for the site now include 140 new homes in the centre’s existing 14-storey tower, residents’ amenities on lower levels and a skills hub for City College Plymouth.
BDP said its design approach will respect the character of the original building while adapting it for contemporary needs.
BDP architect director Mark Baund said: “Adaptive reuse has the ability to restore purpose and relevance to buildings that have shaped a city’s identity. For the Civic Centre, it allows us to reconnect this landmark with the community it was built to serve.
“Our vision is to retain the clarity and confidence of the original structure while introducing well-crafted homes and generous shared spaces that support modern urban living. This project is about giving the building a meaningful civic role again, one that is rooted in Plymouth’s past but firmly focused on its future.”
The public consultation will be open until 1 December with a planning application to be submitted towards the end of next month. Construction is scheduled to start in 2028.
The project team so far includes Aecom, Capital & Centric, Stantec, Hoare Lea, OFR and Commonplace.
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