Spanish City shortlisted for inaugural Architecture Today Awards 2022

Spanish City shortlisted for inaugural Architecture Today Awards 2022

We're excited to announce that Spanish City has been shortlisted at the inaugural Architecture Today Awards, under the 'Hospitality, Sport & Leisure' category!

The newly established Architecture Today Awards were launched to celebrate buildings that have stood the test of time, and only considers projects that have been in use for at least three years, a stark contrast with most award programmes. Shortlisted projects demonstrate an ability to deliver on their ambitions for the environment and their community, with Spanish City's shortlisting reflecting the positive impact the project has had on a deprived area in the North East.

Built in 1910, Spanish City gas been an iconic building for the people of the North East for over a century. After decades of poor maintenance and ill-advised changes, it fell empty for over two decades. Our restoration transformed the building back to its former glory. We engaged with the local community in order to best understand how we can effectively bring Spanish City back to life, using open days, competitions and exhibitions. We also used pre-paid postcards to collect the community's thoughts on how to approach the project. The Grade II listed dome had an extra floor below removed, opening the space underneath the dome for the first time in almost a century. We also added new extensions and clad them in patinated copper, creating a clear distinction between old and new. Restoring Spanish City has given Whitley Bay and the North East a much needed boost.

The winners will be announced in February 2023, after the shortlisted projects are presented to a live jury and audience in London on the 7th November. You can view the full shortlist here.