Spanish City has received a Commendation at the Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards 2019. The awards were announced on the 1st March at the Awards Ceremony, which took place at the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester.
The Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards celebrate projects that demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation. Spanish City was in good company as a number of very high calibre, national and international, projects were also recognised by the awards.
Spanish City reopened its doors to over 16,000 visitors in July 2018, following many years of deterioration. Architectural practice, ADP, worked closely with North Tyneside Council, construction company, Robertson, and the new operator, Kymel, to sensitively restore Spanish City and secure the seaside pleasure building’s future.
The regeneration of the iconic Grade II listed building was key to North Tyneside Council’s £36m Seafront Masterplan. The conservation approach was to retain as much original material and features as possible. Lost features were reinstated and the stunning rotunda was returned to its original splendour, while providing high quality popular facilities to sustain the building’s future. New copper clad extensions are contemporary to clearly differentiate between old and new.
Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Norma Redfearn CBE said: “I am delighted that the Spanish City restoration project has been recognised in the Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards.
“This is thoroughly deserved as so much hard work has gone into bringing the building, which is loved by local residents and people from far and wide, back to life.
“It is also really pleasing to see the Spanish City name alongside so many other hugely impressive projects from all over the world. It makes all the hard work and effort worthwhile.”
Spanish City has also been shortlisted for a number of awards, including two regional RICS Awards in the Tourism and Leisure, and Regeneration categories, as well as two Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Planning Excellence awards for Tourism and Leisure, and Planning for a Successful Economy. The winners of these awards will be announced at the end of April.