Sunderland-based BDN embark on North West Expansion

Sunderland architects and engineers have made an ambitious step towards expansion, as visionary plans are unveiled to breathe new life into the former Ulverston Police Station and Courthouse.

Sunderland and Ulverston based architectural and engineering practice, Building Design Northern (BDN) has exchanged contracts on the former constabulary buildings and submitted a planning application with the intention of creating a brand-new multi use destination for Ulverston.

Computer generated images of the transformed space show how the firm will transform the damaged, disused buildings into a mixed-use venue of commercial space, offices, boutique serviced accommodation and new homes, with a tasteful and sympathetic programme of restoration.

If the plans are approved, BDN will relocate its Ulverston office to the Police Station, with a communal kitchen, meeting room and desk space proposed for the expanding practice. BDN established an Ulverston office in 2018 and has recently embarked on ambitious North West growth plans, appointing two new local employees.

The company is the driving force behind Sheepfolds’ Stables, a £2m project which will see the Grade II listed building – which stands in the shadow of Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light – converted into a mixed-use leisure venue comprising retail, food and drink and entertainment space.

The Police Station will be the third heritage building the company has taken on, having purchased and transformed the Old Simpson Street School, making the prominent Sunderland building its North East head office. The £1m renovation project reimagined the 1800s, Grade II listed, former Victorian school building into a sustainably stylish working environment and eight luxury loft apartments.

The former Police Station will house commercial office space, with jail cells reimagined as boutique accommodation. The superintendent’s quarters -the west wing - which was demolished prior to BDN’s acquisition of the site, will house further serviced accommodation, each apartment with its own en-suite and kitchenette space.

The Courthouse will incorporate a new restaurant pavilion, with a surrounding courtyard of former garages converted into independent commercial space that is expected to attract a range of retail businesses.

Three one and two-bedroom dwellings are also detailed in plans, replacing former MOT garages, and they will be centred around a communal amenity space with a large central green space, designed to foster a sense of community among residents. The buildings fell out of use since it was vacated by the police in 2015, and despite being privately sold, has remained unoccupied since.

Managing director of BDN, Richard Marsden, said, “BDN’s ethos is to design stunning spaces to create incredible opportunities for those around us, making a mark on the North of England for generations to come. We are excited to embark on a new chapter, investing in our secondary base in Ulverston, breathing life into a building with deep heritage.”

Director of architecture and head of BDN’s Ulverston office, Joe Warner, said, “As a local business, we are proud to be playing a part in the transformation of a historic Ulverston landmark and investing back into the area we care deeply about.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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