Beecham’s Building

Year: 2025
Region: North West
Award Category: Residential Project of the Year
Organisation / Individual: Nicholson Group, ADS Structural Architect, Rotary St Helens
National / Regional Winner: Regional Winner
Constructing Excellence

Beecham’s Building has undergone a residential conversion in what was previously a former local College site. Part of urban renewal and the 2024 masterplan for St Helens Town Centre,  Nicholson Group rejuvenated this grand grade 2 listed building that previously lay dormant following the exit by St Helens College.  The up-market accommodation now serves senior decision makers working in some of the burgeoning industries in the Borough, from tech to medicine.

Rescuing an iconic Grade 2 listed Merseyside building was always going to be ambitious. The Beecham’s Building on Westfield Street, St Helens is the former headquarters of the Beecham pharmaceutical giant, once a major St Helens employer. The building dates to the 1880s and was the first factory in the world built specifically to produce medicine.

As the building is Grade 2 listed, we actively sought the advice of heritage experts to ensure in developing the project that we protected the characteristics and features of both the exterior and interior of the building. We then designed the project in-house using ingenuity and a creative approach to ensure we didn’t disturb the fabric of the building. The project has been acclaimed by local stakeholder and heritage group Rotary St Helens alongside St Helens Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Three Winning Facts:
  1. Commentators locally have identified the building as a catalyst for local residents hoping to see further regeneration of residential accommodation.
  2. The completion was welcomed by local businesses looking forward to seeing the vision for the town centre begin to come to fruition from 2024 onwards.
  3. Community heritage spokesman Paul Winstanley said: “The Beecham’s clocktower building on Westfield Street represents a transformative journey, transitioning from a historic pharmaceutical hub to a modern residential space. The Nicholson Group’s dedication to preserving the building’s essence reflects a harmonious blend of past and present. The clock tower building now stands as a beacon of St Helens’ rich history, ready to embrace a vibrant future within the heart of the community.”