First look at Greater Manchester’s ‘brutalist’ civic center overhaul

A first look at the overhaul of Wigan’s ‘brutalist’ civic center has been released. Social impact developers Capital&Centric have provided a sneak peek of what the project, called “Civic”, will look like once it’s completed next year.

Preparatory work is now complete, with construction set to begin next month. Capital&Centric works in partnership with Wigan council and is supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Project leaders say older buildings are being spared demolition and reused as part of the UK’s mission to meet its climate change targets. The Civic will have a number of sustainability features such as smart, high-efficiency lighting to reduce energy consumption and charging points for electric vehicles and bicycle storage to encourage active travel and improve air quality in central Wigan .

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The introduction of lush gardens and planting – as seen in the artist’s first-look impressions – will increase biodiversity on the site by over 500%. The first Civic workspaces are expected to be available as early as summer 2025, with initial expressions of interest already taken.

Aidan Thatcher, Cllr of Wigan Council, said: “This redevelopment will bring this iconic building back to life and create a modern and sustainable workplace of choice in our town centre. It is an innovative project to restore an old building, give it a renewed purpose and ensure it is fit for the future.

“There are lots of exciting projects taking place in Wigan town center at the moment as part of our strategic regeneration framework, including the redevelopment of the Galleries, Wigan Pier and Eckersley Mills. Together, these projects will support the regeneration of Wigan into a place where people choose to live, work, visit and invest.”

Capital&Centric joint managing director John Moffat said: “Concrete buildings from the 1970s like the Civic really divide opinion and are too often flattened in favor of new construction. But with a mission to achieve net zero emissions, overhauling existing buildings must be the first choice.

“We’re not relying on carbon savings compared to the alternative, reducing operating emissions by around 40pc and packing the building with smart technology to further reduce energy consumption. Wigan Council is showing real ambition when it comes to sustainability. regeneration that sets the tone for the town center for years to come.

“Working together, we’re not only determined to create one of the most sustainable workspaces in Wigan, but we also want to defy expectations and create something beautiful, with stunning interior spaces and stacks of lush plantings to along Millgate. It will be a real play in the wider story of Wigan’s regeneration.”

Facilities in the Civic will include a gym and mini cinema, bicycle storage and a roof terrace. The exposed concrete inside will be framed by lush new plants and trees. There will also be spaces for the public, including a new café with a spillway terrace, as well as outdoor seating along Millgate.

Businesses interested in locating in Civic are encouraged to register early interest online at: www.capitalandcentric.com/civic

The design aims for the workspace to achieve an EPC A energy efficiency rating and be BREEAM ‘excellent’ – seen as the gold standard for best practice in sustainable design. The Civic retrofit is expected to save more than 2,600 tonnes of CO2 compared to a new building of the same size – the equivalent of taking more than 1,200 cars off the road, making it “one of the most sustainable workplaces in the city “.