Unveiling the hidden aspects of the defunct Queensgate Market in Huddersfield
Queensgate Market in Huddersfield, a 55-year-old Grade II listed building, is set to undergo a significant transformation as part of Kirklees Council's annual Heritage Open Days in September. The market, renowned for its iconic hyperbolic paraboloid roof structures and ceramic panels by artist Fritz Steller, is being redeveloped into a vibrant food hall and library hub as part of the "Our Cultural Heart" regeneration programme [1][4][5].
Cllr Graham Turner, the cabinet member for finance and regeneration, is proud of the local authorities' support for this project. He considers the former market building as having a special place in Huddersfield's identity and views the tour of the Queensgate Market as a 'fantastic opportunity' for locals to see the building before its redevelopment [2].
The tour will offer a unique chance for locals to explore the market one last time before the redevelopment begins. It will showcase the building's architectural uniqueness, including its paraboloid roof structures, and provide insights into the ongoing redevelopment works [1][5].
The redevelopment aims to blend heritage preservation with modern cultural and community uses. It emphasizes sustainable and dynamic reuse of the building, preserving its striking mid-20th-century modernist architecture within Huddersfield's town centre [3][4].
David Griffiths, coordinator for Heritage Open Days, is excited about the event. He believes it will provide a valuable educational experience for those who attend, offering a glimpse into the market's historical significance and the transformation process led by construction partner BAM [6].
The redevelopment of the Queensgate Market is aimed at giving the building new life for future generations, making it a flagship part of revitalizing Huddersfield’s cultural heart [1][3][5].
- The Queensgate Market's redevelopment, as part of the "Our Cultural Heart" regeneration programme, will transform it into a vibrant food hall and library hub, creating a new lifestyle destination in Huddersfield's home-and-garden area.
- During the upcoming Heritage Open Days tour, locals will have a fantastic opportunity to witness the architectural uniqueness of the Queensgate Market, learning about its historical significance and the regeneration process aimed at preserving its striking mid-20th-century modernist architecture while introducing modern cultural and community uses.
