Bradford Live was the refurbishment of a 1930s concert hall, that had latterly been converted into a 1960s cinema and bingo hall, before falling into disuse and dilapidation in the early 2000s. This was a passion project for the directors of Bradford Live who wanted to see the building returned to its original use as a live music venue and restored to its former glory. The project had to overcome numerous setbacks during the construction period including discovering major structural issues and the loss of the original lead designer. The project’s success is testament to the collaboration of the client, contractor and consultant teams working together to find solutions to the problems encountered.
Original features have been retained where possible and recreated where they had been lost to the dilapidation. The main auditorium is an impressive performance space which blends old with new to create a unique environment for performances.
The end result is an iconic, world-class entertainment venue that will contribute to Bradford city centre’s regeneration and also provide a centrepiece for Bradford Council’s City of Culture 2025 events.
Three Winning Facts:
- Restored a 1930s concert hall to its former glory and created an iconic, world-class entertainment venue to be enjoyed by a new generation.
- Overcame numerous setbacks during the project through the collaboration and teamwork of the whole project team.
- Blended restoration skills with modern technologies to preserve as many original features as possible while creating a venue for modern audiences.
