Funding to unlock redevelopment of one of Walsall’s most historic buildings
Work to breathe new life into one of Walsall’s most historic and ornate buildings is set to go ahead thanks to an investment of more than £582,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Globe House, a Grade II listed building in Bradford Place, will now be converted into 35 apartments for rent by Globe Asset Management Ltd (GAM), a Walsall-based company which holds, manages and develops residential and commercial property across the Black Country and Birmingham.
At least 20% of the new apartments will be classed as affordable under the WMCA’s own, more stringent definition, which is linked to real world local incomes rather than surrounding property prices.
Located in Walsall’s Bridge Street Conservation Area, Globe House was constructed in 1888 to mark the previous year’s Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It was used as a college for more than a century and later converted into offices but much of the building is now unoccupied.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “Our investment into Globe House will help transform an underused building and bring much-needed homes into the very heart of the community.
“It’s also wonderful to see another heritage building preserved for future generations to enjoy and follows the investment made by the WMCA into the regeneration of the Citadel Building in Birmingham city centre.
“Across the West Midlands, with the public, private and third sector working together in partnership, we are continuing to unlock the potential of previously neglected locations to help supercharge our regional development – creating jobs and homes for local residents while protecting the green belt.”
The Globe House conversion has seen the WMCA work in close partnership with Walsall Council and the former Black Country LEP which also invested in the scheme.
The investment is part of the WMCA’s policy of encouraging more town centre living and is the latest in a series of WMCA housing and land projects to provide new homes, jobs and commercial spaces on urban, brownfield sites.
Rajinder Gill, director of GAM, said: “We at Globe, the current custodian of Globe House, are grateful for the support for this project from Walsall Council and its officers who have worked on this historical project over the last few years.
“We also give thanks to our team, Rob Cysondor from RCA Regeneration and John Mason Architects, and of course Andy Street who has supported this Walsall project from the start.”
