Gilbert-Ash wins major refurbishment of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Wednesday 11th June 2014

The appointment marks a return to Liverpool’s Hope Street where we recently built the new Everyman Theatre, winner of two prestigious RIBA 2014 Awards, including Building of the Year for the North West region.

Architects Caruso St. John are leading the design team  for the refurbishment programme that will reflect and complement the heritage and history of the iconic Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, home of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the UK’s premier arts and entertainment venues. 2014 is the 75th anniversary of the current Hall opening its doors.

Designs for the refurbishment provide:

• significant improvements to front of house  areas and facilities for all visitors and participants including the foyer, box office, bars and catering, toilets and lift access to all levels of the building
• rebuilding and improving the stage and choir performance areas in the auditorium
• new warm-up, practice and backstage facilities for resident and visiting musicians  and artists
• an exciting new performance space for a range of small-scale concerts, learning events and other activities
• increased environmental  sustainability, including the ability to reduce power consumption across the building’s utilities.

The Hall will close on 23rd May after the final concert of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2013/14 season.  It will reopen in November, with the full complex, including the new second space, completed in Spring 2015, the 175th anniversary year of the founding of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

The cost of the refurbishment programme is set at £13.8 million. It is supported through a major award from Arts Council England, and a significant capital contribution from Liverpool City Council, with further awards from trusts and foundations, and gifts from individual donors.

Michael Eakin, Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic said:

“We are delighted to be working with Gilbert-Ash on the refurbishment of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.  Having seen and admired the work they delivered for our neighbour on Hope Street, the Everyman Theatre, as well as their proven track record in working with other leading theatres and cultural organisations, we are confident that they will realise to the highest quality, the architectural plans developed by Caruso St. John with our design team that will complement and enhance one of Liverpool’s great buildings.”

Raymond Gilroy, Contracts Director at Gilbert-Ash said:

“It’s a great pleasure for Gilbert-Ash to be returning to Hope Street following our appointment as contractor for the refurbishment of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.  We are looking forward to working with our new client and the professional design team led by Caruso St. John on another major project in the cultural sector for Gilbert-Ash, and to delivering its successful completion in 2015.”

The refurbishment of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is funded by the Arts Council England and Liverpool City; the Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, The Kenneth Stern Trust, The Foundation for Sport and the Arts, The Granada Foundation, The Ravensdale Trust, J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust and individual donors.