Rebuilt market crowned building of the year
AN historic North West market building which was all but destroyed by fire five years ago, has won a coveted award.
Ashton Market Hall was last night crowned the Greater Manchester Building of the Year Award for 2009.
The listed Victorian landmark, restored after a £20m investment, fought off stiff competition from the other shortlisted projects, including Number 1 The Avenue, Spinningfields, the new Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, and the Bolton Market shopping centre.
The award is given in recognition of the key construction projects in Greater Manchester, and was announced by Manchester city council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein at Greater Manchester Chamber building and development annual dinner, held at the Hilton hotel.
Previous winners of the award include Piccadilly Place, John Rylands Library, the Pinnacle Building, and Beetham Tower.
Ashton Market Hall reopened 11 months ago following a lengthy restoration of the building.
Steve Burne, chair of the chamber’s building and development section, said:
“The success of Ashton Market Hall demonstrates the achievements of planners, construction professionals and local businesses working together to breathe new life into a building which sits at the centre of the local community.
“This is true urban regeneration whereby the traditional heart of a town centre from previous generations is retained and revitalised to protect the vitality and viability of the town for the long term future.
“It was a bold move to act in the interests of the community and to commit the care and attention needed to restore a hugely significant local landmark. The committee felt that the benefits this move has brought to the town and its impact on the local area make Ashton Market Hall a worthy winner of the 2009 Greater Manchester Building of the Year.”
He said the community and the town had “truly risen like a phoenix from the ashes.”
Sir Howard told the audience of around 200 that it was “particularly important” for the property and construction sectors to celebrate success, given the tough times it has encountered in the last 12 months.
Councillor Kieran Quinn of Tameside Council, receiving the award for the Market Hall, said he was “proud, honoured and surprised” that the project, which he said was “at the heart of the Ashton community” had trumphed over the new children’s hospital.
He said the return of the Hall to the community last year had helped local retailers escape the worst ravages of the recession.
