Team drafted in to save Hopwood Hall
Seven Architecture and contractor Restoration Projects have been appointed to carry out essential repairs to the grade two-star-listed Rochdale building.
Last year, the project was granted £368,000 by Historic England and an additional £92,000 by Rochdale Council.
Now, Seven and Restoration Projects have been appointed to lead the preservation scheme.
They will undertake emergency remedial work to restore the fabric of Hopwood Hall. Elements of the project include reroofing, repointing and the removal and replacement of defective timber floors and structural supports.
The building is currently on Historic England’s At Risk register and is deemed to be at immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric.
“This phase of works to the hall is a vital step in trying to protect the building from further dilapidation and to give the building a chance at a future,” said Samantha Gill, architect at Seven.
“The key is to ensure the hall is watertight, carefully removing and replacing rotten material as we go. The challenge with work to any listed building on the ‘At Risk’ register is carefully balancing the benefit of protecting the building’s future against the potential harm that removing fabric may bring to the building’s significance.”
Hopwood Hall is the subject of refurbishment plans from an actor-turned-producer from Los Angeles called Hopwood DePree XIV.
DePree, a descendant of the Hopwood family that owned the hall for 500 years until the early 20th century, is raising money to bring the building back into use for the local community.
The hall is owned by Rochdale Council, which has entered into an exclusivity agreement with DePree to see it renovated and reopened as an arts and culture hub.
The project is expected to cost around £10m in total.
“I am delighted that these works have been made possible by the grant from Historic England with a contribution from Rochdale Council,” DePree said.
“This dream is now gradually becoming a reality and I couldn’t be more grateful to all those involved.”
Absolutely brilliant. A place of wonderment as a child. xxx
By Anonymous
This historic hall is not in Rochdale it is in Middleton and the connection to Rochdale is an unfortunate by-product of the boundary reorganisation
By Robert Bennett
It is actually nearer to Heywood.
By Elephant
Correct Robert, Middleton has so many architectural gems and this is one of them, long may it survive.
By Anonymous
Hopwood Hall is in Middleton which is in the Rochdale area of Greater Manchester.
By Darren Born and Bred.
This is building our historical record of the time & function it played. Yes it should be saved & made fit for purpose & avaliable for all, including the disabled & that includes a lift access to other floors .
We want & need historical builds have full access for all & not preserved in aspic
By Stuart Baker
wonderful
By Anonymous
Surely it is more important that the building is restored than arguing about its location.
By Anonymous
This is absolutely outstanding news. Hopwood you have done a tremendous job of getting the word out to the world on how important it is to preserve this historic estate! So proud of you and your accomplishments! This is awesome!! A bright spot for us to all focus on.
By Susan Compagner
Wish more people would restore instead of tearing down. Thank you for saving a beautiful piece of history
By Victoris Victoria
No where near Heywood and it was Rochdale Council who let the place fall into serious disrepair when they put a CPO on the teacher training college so that no one else could buy the place. Royal Bank of Scotland wanted to buy it to use as a training centre but we’re not allowed to do so.
By Andy Scanlon
It would be nice to actually appreciate and mention the team of volunteers including Hopwood who have preserved that building and the person who gave a lot of time to preserve that building to save as much as he could when no money was available over the last decade. If a standard builder had been in control there wouldn’t be anything left. I’ve seen the building many of times and the work that was done over the last 10 years has been crucial. Remember the smaller people in this who don’t get money and PR; they do it for the local town and community.
By Anonymous
I believe if it hadn’t been for you, DePree, that place would probably have fallen to the ground. Congrats!
By Arthur Loren Kontio
good to know the restoration work is ongoing.I saw the hall last week with my husband Paul.We we’re both very impressed with what has been achieved.Keep up the good work,Hopwood – I’ve every faith in you!
By Catherine Tattersall(nee Hopwood