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Award-winning new build AFFORDABLE HOUSING development, built by Forrest on the site of the former Queens Hall music venue, which was frequented by many entertainers and bands, including the Beatles, on no less than 5 occasions; the Happy Mondays; and the Stone Roses. Unfortunately the popular venue had to be demolished in 2012, following a fire.
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Bespoke commemorative artwork and colourful metal 'guitar strings' louvres allude to the site's former musical heritage, helping to keep the memory of Queens Hall alive and adding vibrancy to old Widnes Town.
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Health and Wellbing was a key driver of the design, with each apartment having its own ventilation system to ensure good air quality. Each also has access to fresh air with either a upper level private terrace, a juliet balcony or oudoor area on the ground floor.
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Green landscaping is maximised, with planting of shrubs etc around the perimeter and purposefully arranged to mask the parking area and bicycle storage in the rear courtyard. This makes for a pleasing outlook from the bedrooms which face the quieter, enclosed space.
Award-winning affordable apartments in Widnes
for Halton Housing Trust
Queens Court
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Windows are large (with an increased head height) to maximise daylight and outlook.
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Curved walls feature both externally and internally to create ‘flow’ and to add a feeling of luxury, being different from the more traditional ‘square’ room form.
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All apartments have special acoustic double-glazed aluminium framed windows to help reduce any external noise from the adjacent music venues - a way of addressing one of the key concerns raised pre-planning stage.
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Permanent swift boxes are installed to improve the ecology of the area.
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Chief Reporter, RUNCORN & WIDNES WORLD, Barbara Jordan has been following progress on the site over a number of years and features the completed Queens Court in a March 2015 article HERE. CLICK TO READ