The wraps are starting to come off at Northgate

SLOWLY, PARTS of the building have been shedding scaffolding and plastic – and from under the wraps the new Northgate complex in Halifax taking shape is gradually being revealed.

Calderdale Council’s ambitious multi-million pound plans to convert the former council offices and old library building into an inviting, complex for business, retailers and a crucial sixth form centre will soon be more visibly bearing fruit.

The sixth form centre part of the development will be ready in the spring, with the first students set to start there this September at the beginning of the new academic year, with interest already high in the borough’s new educational offer, say partners Calderdale Council, Trinity Multi-Academy Trust and Rastrick High School.

With multi-national insurance group RSA signing a 20year lease for office space at the complex, work is continuing apace to fit it out in the style the client wants to see, said the council’s Halifax Town Centre Regeneration Programme Manager Janet Whitlow.

Leaving the fine detail until the customer’s requirements are known is also a “shell and core” policy being used for the retail units.

Janet said a key point of the regeneration is to bring more footfall into more of Halifax town centre and the dual development of the site will encourage this, and take it further.

Northgate won’t be a monolithic building people just enter to work or study – an attractive double glazed atrium aims to draw people into the courtyard from town to take a look, with some space to sit and chat in some pleasant surroundings, right in the heart of the town.

Both college and office space will boast great views into the courtyard or out over the townscape to Beacon Hill. Some innovative civil engineering has been applied to create a new staircase that is a key support of the building and design shows off the atrium to maximum advantage.

The finishing touches are being put into the sixth form centre’s rooms, with an IT suite ready to be kitted out, carpets being laid and whiteboards being fitted for teaching. The building’s basement will house a cafeteria and changing room space.

‘It’s spectacular, it’s modern, it’s light - it’s a place of aspiration’ - Coun Jane Scullion

A key point of the regeneration is to bring more footfall - Programme Manager Janet Whitlow

MORE ON REGENERATION: www.halifaxcourier.co.uk