Capital&Centric unveils Wigan Civic Centre vision
The vacant building, built in 1970, could be restored to boast 32,000 sq ft of workspace under plans being drawn up in partnership with Wigan Council.
Capital&Centric’s proposals for the Wigan Civic Centre include incubator spaces and larger offices, as well as coffee shops and a roof garden.
A new entrance could also be created, which would complement the building’s historic architecture.
Wigan Council owns the building located on Millgate near the town centre, which formerly housed council offices and chambers.
Proposals for the building include incubator spaces and larger offices. Credit: via Font Communications
John Moffat, joint managing director of Capital&Centric, said that 1970s buildings are “part of the architectural narrative of the nation.”
“At a time when loads of these mid-century concrete buildings are being flattened – it’s important we preserve what we can,” he continued.
“The bones of the Civic Centre are solid, it just needs some vision to create the next chapter.”
Currently in the initial design phase, a planning application is expected to be submitted later this year.
Capital&Centric’s first project in Wigan comes at the same time as the town’s wider regeneration, of which its first phase, Wigan Galleries, is under construction. Plans for the multi media centre include a cinema, bowling alley, and mini-golf.
Elsewhere across Greater Manchester, Capital&Centric has acquired numerous sites in Bolton last month to create houses and a 97-home scheme, Farnworth Green, is already under construction in the area.
Current projects for the company also include the £60m redevelopment of Weir Mill in Stockport.
Capital&Centric completed its £250m Kampus scheme last year, which converted two Victorian warehouses and a 1960s tower into 500 apartments.
How is this news? C and C are working on an new entrance to an empty building. Cmon PNW!
By Anonymous
The building is an eyesore and what was wrong with 70’s concrete monstrosities. Ive seen this building my whole life and let’s down the road it is on Millgate the Old Mining College is a fantastic looking building which is over 140yrs old and still in use. The new life centre buildings blend in with the College so even though I think it’s wrong to tear down buildings needlessly this old civic centre is crying out for it. The Wigan Galleries which was only opened in 86 is now being torn down instead of being repurposed is a disgrace. The Galleries still looks new but Wigan council seem to think that tearing it down and turning two thirds of it into flats which they think they can sell off is mind blowing. Wigan Town centre is doing its death rattle and seems like the council think that people won’t to buy flats in wigan Town centre is mind blowing.
By Christopher Leach
so you do or don’t like new buildings? Looks like you haven’t understood the galleries scheme either, flats are to rent for the most part, both market and affordable housing. Surely better than empty shops. What would you propose?
By GM- comments
Check the facts. It isn’t on Station Road and Wigan never was or will ever be a City!
By Anonymous
Apologies, that was an error made due to past planning docs and has been amended.
-Sophie
By Sophie Rennie
Haha,so 70s concrete monstrosities must be saved but it’s fine for Wigan Council to demolish and destroy the many real historic buildings that they have over the years, what a joke!
By DW
The building is an eye sore, get rid of it or change its facade,
By Anonymous