Gillespies chosen for flagship Huddersfield scheme

Gillespies has been selected as executive landscape architect to deliver Phase One of the ‘Our Cultural Heart’ scheme in Huddersfield.

Alongside main contractor, BAM Construction and their team of specialist professionals, Gillespies will coordinate the delivery of all new landscape and public realm spaces. As part of the delivery team appointed by Kirklees Council, they will collaborate closely with the Council and their retained design team - including concept architect Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Arup, and landscape architect Re-form - to ensure the plans that were approved in March 2023 are realised and deliver the best possible results for Huddersfield’s residents and visitors.

The £210m Our Cultural Heart development will include the creation of a new public square and a number of family-friendly public realm spaces. Phase One will focus on the refurbishment of the Listed Queensgate Market building, which will become a new food hall, with independent food stalls and generous communal seating areas. A new modern library adjoined to the same building will offer community meeting spaces, a dedicated children’s area, a local history room and computer facilities. A special event space and terrace at the top of the library will look out over the scheme’s landmark new public square – suitable for major outdoor cultural events and gatherings.

Our Cultural Heart will celebrate the character of Huddersfield and breathe new life and activity into the area of the town centre between Queensgate, Queen Street and Victoria Lane. The ambitious centrepiece of Kirklees Council’s wider Huddersfield Blueprint, future phases of the scheme will include museum space, a multi-purpose live entertainment venue and attractive urban park.

Gillespies has a track record of delivering significant projects as executive landscape architect, including the recently-completed Mayfield Park in Manchester. The firm is currently working with contractor Willmott Dixon on the new Stockport Interchange and its two-hectare podium park, scheduled to open in early 2023. The executive role involves leading the landscape design from tender design through technical design and to construction. It requires delivery-focussed expertise, to protect the original concept while ensuring the project is delivered on time and on budget, as well as teamwork and skilled collaboration to agree and implement solutions to the inevitable unforeseen challenges.

BAM Construction has been appointed as lead construction contractor for Phase One of the works; Gillespies is executive landscape architect, Chapman Taylor is the executive architect for the buildings, and Curtins, the executive project engineer.

CGIs courtesy of Kirklees Council