Reviving Tunstall Library: A New Era of Community Living

Transforming historic Tunstall Library into a vibrant community hub, blending heritage with modern living.

Honouring Tunstall's Rich Heritage

The Tunstall Library, Public Baths, and Drill Hall complex on Greengates Street is a cherished piece of history, dating back to circa 1890. Originally serving a variety of public functions, this collection of buildings includes a Grade II Listed library and reading room, museum, and science institute. The fire station and baths building, complete with a swimming pool, provided essential services to the community.

The Drill Hall at 17-19 Greengates Street played a crucial role in voluntary army training, akin to today's territorial army reservists. Our aim is to preserve this rich heritage while breathing new life into these historic structures.

The Vision: A Modern Community Space

Our proposal envisions transforming the Tunstall Library complex into a vibrant community hub that caters to modern living.

The plan includes converting the buildings into 39 apartments, creating new commercial spaces, and adding public amenities such as a café, restaurant, and rooftop bar.

Additionally, the former baths building will be repurposed into a spa pool, gym, and dance studio, offering residents a range of wellness and recreational activities.

This vision ensures that the site continues to serve the community while adapting to contemporary needs.

Project Architect, Mikael Ip, says, "We're keen on balancing factors such as the views of the community, and the historic nature of the buildings.

Working with a listed building does add to the complexity. So we have to consider what is acceptable from a heritage point of view, while also ensuring the scheme is viable, and also that it is something that the local community can support."

Architectural Excellence and Innovative Design

Our architectural approach balances the preservation of historical elements with innovative design. By retaining the setting of the listed building, we honour its historical significance while enhancing the local area with modern amenities.

The design process has been meticulous, ensuring that every detail respects the original architecture while providing functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces for future residents and visitors.

Community Engagement and Feedback

Community involvement has been a cornerstone of this project. We held a public consultation at Tunstall Town Hall on the 3rd and 4th of September to showcase our plans and gather feedback from local businesses and residents.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement about the proposed development. This feedback has been invaluable in refining our plans to better serve the community's needs and aspirations.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Tunstall Library

As we move forward with this project, our goal is to create a space that honours the past while embracing the future. The revitalisation of the Tunstall Library complex will not only preserve its historical significance but also provide a dynamic and inclusive environment for the community.

We are excited about the potential of this development to become a cornerstone of community life in Tunstall, offering a blend of residential, commercial, and public spaces that cater to diverse needs and interests.