Construction work

Tender description

The primary purpose of the project is to create a dedicated entrance and box office for Opera North with direct access to the Howard Assembly Room negating the need to enter via the main stair of Leeds Grand Theatre. This will allow the 2 venues to operate independently and simultaneously, offering far greater flexibility for both organisations. Howard Assembly Room and Leeds Grand Theatre The primary purpose of the project is to create a dedicated entrance and box office for Opera North with direct access to the Howard Assembly Room negating the need to enter via the main stair of Leeds Grand Theatre (LGT). This will allow the two venues to operate independently and simultaneously, offering far greater flexibility for both organisations. The proposal retains internal links between the two demises. Opera North currently use the Howard Assembly Room for orchestral rehearsal space limiting the amount of time the space can be used for performances or events. The proposal seeks to construct a two-storey rehearsal space for the orchestra and artists on top of the existing building known as Premier House on the opposite site of Harrison Street. The purpose of this extension is to alleviate the Howard Assembly Room`s dual role of ‘practice and perform’, hence allowing a substantial increase in the performance program and other corporate events. The opportunity for Opera North to secure the lease of the vacant shop units of 34-40 New Briggate has been the catalyst for designing and developing a holistic regeneration. The scheme introduces a stunning new restaurant and bar to serve patrons of both the Howard Assembly Room and Leeds Grand Theatre for pre and post-performance dinner and refreshments. The restaurant will also be directly accessible to non-theatre goers and will be open on a daily basis. The project seeks to create a new and exciting three storey vertical circulation space in the existing alley off Harrison Street. The space will accommodate a new stair and lift and the team is currently investigating the option to display public art. The space will be enclosed with a glazed roof offering much needed natural light into the plan. This new ‘atrium’ will provide access to a lobby area leading directly into the Howard Assembly Room. There is also an opportunity to provide dedicated access from this lobby directly into Leeds Grand Theatre without the need to exit the building and re-enter via the LGT main lobby. Opera North and Leeds Grand Theatre and currently discussing the detail of how this will be managed. Premier House (Opera North Offices) The existing structure of Premier House is to be strengthened to accommodate the additional storeys and a detailed structural feasibility report has been commissioned Further planned alterations and improvements are as follows; The ground floor of Premier House is to be transformed into an Educational Suite, creating learning spaces for young people, whilst improving Opera North`s street presence by giving its frontage to Harrison Street a contemporary facelift. Improvements are proposed to the building’s existing core which will create an efficient relationship between the proposed Educational Suite, Rehearsal Space and existing offices between. The existing elevations of Premier House are to be given a fresh contemporary facelift by replacing existing windows, cleaning up brickwork at ground floor level and applying a new finish to the office floors above. The 2 additional storeys may be finished with a metal raised seam cladding system to match the recent extensions of Linacre and Harewood Studios.