Unity Hall Wakefield

A Landmark, Listed Building Restoration Into A Major Music Venue, Conference Centre And Location For Creative Businesses

Unity hall is a landmark  large and impressive three-storey, grade 2 listed, red brick building with a Venetian Gothic façade and sand-stone dressings, and original shopfronts, in Wakefield. Originally constructed by the Wakefield industrial society limited in 1878 then massively enlarged between 1899 and 1902 and had been the centre of the social scene for many years. Despite falling into disrepair having been closed for over a decade, Unity Hall had remained much loved by the local community.

The building had limped on with a number of part lets until an innovative developer set up a community interest group with the intention of raising funds to restore the building and turn it into a major music venue, conference centre and location for creative businesses. The community interest group issued a community share scheme and managed to secure the building on a long lease. Through this vehicle, the community interest group share holders were able to gather momentum and began to raise funds with private, public and cooperative monies.

Architecture 1B were asked to lead the renovation works, returning it to its former glory and preserving the authenticity and integrity of the building with minimal intervention. The scheme brought the large dance hall back into its original use, along with many other rooms now utilised for offices and conference facilities. The project was deemed a huge success and was cherished by the local community.