In a light touch approach, the project aimed to bring the disused building back into use as a creative industries managed workspace with offices and complementary spaces in a start-up environment for new businesses.
Following a successful application to the Regional Growth Fund, Focus were appointed for the refurbishment of the former cell block at Victory Gate, the entrance to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The project gained planning permission and listed building consent following discussions with the local planning and conservation officers. Extensive liaison with interested parties, such as Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the Ministry of Defence was also undertaken to ensure site logistics were fully coordinated in the popular tourist site.
The development has been carefully designed to retain the building’s heritage and character, converting 16 rooms including 12 single occupancy detention cells, a small ‘exercise yard’, an office, post room and toilets into studios and offices with a new build, glazed extension to provide an attractive entrance area.
