Restoration of former police station and 'imaginative' riverside mill honoured with awards
Restoration of former police station and mill honoured with awards.
Restoration work on Wakefield’s former police station and an early 19th century mill building were among projects to receive honours at an annual design awards event.
Wakefield Civic Society has staged a competition for good architectural design in the city since 1966.
Seven projects completed during 2025 were recognised at the event, including three design awards and four commendations being shared by three developers.
Two awards were presented in the refurbishment category, which recognises work on older properties brought back into use after sympathetic restoration.
Rushbond received an award for converting the former police superintendent’s house in Wood Street, which formed part of a wider project to transform the city centre’s old police station.
The property is now a four-bedroom home and is offered for sale under the banner of the Wood Street Collection.
A second award went to Henley Restoration and Remedials for work on Phoenix Mill at Tileyard North.
The former derelict building has undergone extensive restoration carried out by the company to the design of architects Hawkins\Brown on behalf of developer City and Provincial.
Judges noted the quality of the work undertaken, which included partial demolition and reconstruction made more complex because the property fronts onto the River Calder.
Fibre Construction received a commendation for converting an old commercial property on Bread Street into a single home.
The society said work on the three-story building showed “an imaginative adaptation for residential use.”
Proprietor Matt Focarrelli also received a commendation in the best shop front category.
The project, which formed part of the Bread Street improvement scheme, benefited from a shop front grant from Wakefield Council.
A commendation was given to Rushbond for the refurbishment of two Georgian properties at Bond Terrace.
Formerly in use as offices, the properties have been converted for use as a sales and administration office for the houses and flats being created by the developer as part of the Wood Street project.
Rushbond received two further honours for other work in the city centre, including a commendation in the new build category for a development of nine three-bedroom town houses in Gills Yard.
The homes have been built for sale and have their own private garden area and allocated car parking spaces.
The final award was presented to Rushbond in the residential category for the conversion the old police station into apartments.
The society said: “This was a major project to bring the police station with its commanding presence on Wood Street back into use.”
Work included restoring the fabric of the building to provide 33 one, two and three-bedroom homes, as well as communal sitting rooms and a shared garden space.
Prizes were presented by the Mayor of Wakefield, councillor Maureen Tennant King, at Wakefield Town Hall.
Civic society president Kevin Trickett said: “This year was very much about quality over quantity.
“The three developers who secured awards and commendations have all brought forward projects that will enhance the offer of the city centre providing places to work and to live.
“We welcome the uptick in new residential projects in and around the city centre.
“Whereas there was a time when many of Wakefield’s population would have lived in or close to the city centre, since the 1950s and 60s we saw a trend where people moved to the suburbs.
“That trend is now being reversed to some extent as people move back into the city centre.
“This will give the city centre new life and will provide a ready customer base for local businesses.”
The society’s dining club also chose Tết, on Cross Square, as its restaurant of the year for the second successive year.