Upper Precinct Coventry Shortlisted for REVO Gold Repurposing Award 2023
Upper Precinct shopping district in Coventry has earned a place among the finalists for the prestigious REVO Gold Repurposing Award 2023. This recognition underscores the transformation of Coventry's city centre into a vibrant, thriving hub, aligning it with the stature of a top 12 UK city.
The REVO Gold Repurposing Award is a highly regarded accolade that celebrates outstanding achievements in the retail-built environment. Each year, a panel of industry experts assesses initiatives that are reshaping and leading the way in the retail sector. The Gold Repurposing Award recognises projects in the UK that have excelled in repurposing or refurbishing assets or shopping centres within the past 12 months.
Shearer Property Group (SPG), in collaboration with Coventry City Council, embarked on a bold mission to breathe new life into the heart of Coventry and restore the city's status as a vibrant, thriving urban centre in 2017. This vision involved the transformation of the Precinct scheme in Coventry city centre.
To achieve this goal, the project involved the removal of discordant architectural additions dating back to 1993, followed by the restoration of the Grade II listed scheme to its original post-war design envisioned by Sir Donald Gibson.
The project involved the removal of discordant architectural additions dating back to 1993
Despite facing significant challenges, including the listed building status of the structures involved and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the project persevered. Lockdown periods were leveraged to continue the restoration when city centre foot traffic was minimal.
The impact of the project has been profound. It serves as a successful example of public and private sectors collaborating to achieve a high-quality outcome. The heart of the city centre has been revitalised, with a noticeable transformation from "before" and "after" photographs. This rejuvenation has paved the way for a more comprehensive regeneration of Coventry City Centre.
Since the completion of the project, the city centre has experienced a substantial increase in footfall, and a former BHS store, vacant since 2014, now houses a new Flannels store, with additional brands like Sports Direct, Everlast, and USC scheduled to open in 2024.
Design concept
In terms of sustainability, the most successful elements of the existing building fabric were retained and enhanced, avoiding unnecessary waste of embodied carbon which creates a long-lasting asset that will not need further modification for a significant time.
The winners of the REVO Gold Repurposing Award 2023 will be revealed at the annual REVO Awards ceremony scheduled for December 6th, 2023, at the iconic Battersea Power Station in London. This recognition underscores the exceptional efforts of Upper Precinct Coventry and its significant contribution to the city's renaissance.