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14
Dec
Breathing new life into one of Ripon's iconic buildings
The architect whose designs will breathe new life into Ripon's iconic Spa Baths is well-equipped to handle the high-profile heritage project.
Among his growing portfolio of listed building assignments, which includes refurbishment of the West Lodge at Grantley Hall and the addition of a new garden room, Andrew Burningham of architecture:ab, played a key role in the resurrection and transformation of a derelict castle in the Republic of Ireland.
Belvelly Castle in County Cork, which dates back to 1200, had, by the 1800s, fallen into a state of ruin after years of abandonment.
Its route to salvation came in 2016, when Mr Burningham was appointed, alongside Yorkshire-based interior designer Peter Plaskitt, to help the new owners achieve their dream of returning the castle to its former glory, retaining the essential character of the building, while making it a luxurious space fit for 21st century living.
Belvelly Castle. Pic ArchitectureAB
Spa Baths, which opened in 1905, is of considerably younger vintage than Belvelly, but Sterne Properties Limited, which has begun work on the rejuvenation of the grade two listed building on Park Street has similar ambitions.
The Ripon-based property investment and development company has, over more than 30 years, earned a reputation for bringing high profile redundant properties in the city back into active use, with mixed-use schemes involving retail and residential elements.
Following its purchase of the semi-derelict Spa Baths from North Yorkshire Council, Sterne will spend more than £2 million on a hospitality-led redevelopment.
This will see the restoration and retention of the original Edwardian frontage, in addition to the creation of commercial units within the building and four new-build luxury apartments to the rear of the site.
Once the project is completed, the pump room, with its host of ornate historical features dating back 119 years, can be viewed by the public during opening hours and the scheme will include a courtyard and a new pedestrian link into the adjacent Spa Gardens.
The architect's perspective shows the apartments to the rear of Spa Baths. Image: Architecture:AB
Sterne's managing ditrector, Robert Sterne, said:
As a local family we are passionate about conserving Ripon’s heritage while encouraging new and exciting businesses to operate in our city. This scheme will continue the resurrection of the city’s spa quarter.
“We want to roll the clock back to when the spa baths were built - the original façade will be restored so it looks just as it was intended to look in the early 1900s.
By opening up the south elevation and creating a rear courtyard the Spa Baths will once again work as it was originally designed. For example, natural light will flood the pump room through the stunning stained glass panels. This is something that hasn’t been seen since the 1930s.
Andrew Burningham, has worked meticulously on this scheme, which has resulted in a sympathetic and deliverable plan to preserve and enhance the Spa Baths.
The fine ornate interior of the Pump Room of Spa Baths is finished with tile, marble and stained glass which depict scenes from Ripon's history. (Copyright North Yorkshire Council / North Yorkshire County Record Office.)
Mr Burningham, whose practice is based in Ripon, has been in regular consultation with the North Yorkshire Council conservation officer. He told the Stray Ferret:
When handling sensitive projects such as Belvelly Castle and Spa Baths, the most important considerations are protection of the heritage asset and also ensuring that the building can be carefully adapted so that it has a successful future.
The most exciting part of the scheme will be seeing the building as originally designed.
The stained glass that tells the story of Ripon’s Charter will be lit up again and the new glazed pavilion to the rear of the Spa will be a reinterpretation of the original glazed structure, linking the Gardens to the Spa, while the new residential building will also provide a backstop to the site and enclose the courtyard
Stained glass is one of the stunning features in the pump room at Spa Baths. Pic architecture:ab
Mr Burningham, who used to take his children swimming at Spa Baths before ithe pool closed in November 2021, pointed out:
Visiting the building regularly gave me an insight into the history of the building and unfortunately the extremely poor condition that it was in.
Now, it will be an absolute pleasure seeing it return to its former glory.
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