The front part of Bradford High Point’s brutalist structure is undergoing demolition to redress the balance for this eyesore building.
After being abandoned for over 25 years, High Point Bradford – the former West Yorkshire office of the Bradford Building Society has survived a public debate in 2018 between the choice of demolition or reuse.
It is a legacy of brutalism and was built to be bomb-proof as a reflection on the most intense period of the Provisional IRA campaign in the 1970s.
To bring it back to life, an £11m redevelopment is set to convert the tower into 87 one and two-bedroom apartments and a glass entrance lobby for its commercial space for the city’s growing workforce and population.
The refurbishment of the building is designed, and project managed by Beckwith Design Associates Ltd (BDA).
The latest progress has shown the removal of heavy concrete from the front structure, which will be replaced by glass panels wrapping around the sides of the structure, creating a transparent, delicate lobby façade that illuminates the entire look of the building.
As part of the “City Village” scheme that aims to create 1,000 homes, Bradford High Point leads the major investment in the “top of town” area of the city.
Anthony Lupton, managing director at BDA, said: “We are delighted to see this project finally leads its way to a bigger picture, the scheme is considered to be sustainable and will help reshape and reinvigorate Bradford City Centre with job opportunities and affordable housing provision.”