Refurbishment begins on God’s House Tower
One of Southampton’s oldest buildings is being transformed into a new arts and heritage venue by local arts organisation, ‘a space’ arts. Regional contractors Mountjoy have been appointed to work on the 700 year old monument alongside architects and heritage consultants Purcell.
The £2.7 million planned renovation will include conservation work to the building, as well as removing modern internal walls, installing a lift, restoring the original doorway and building a new extension to house facilities.
Once complete, the building will include new exhibition spaces, a permanent exhibition of the building’s history, a new ground floor café-bar and access to the rooftop views of Southampton Water, along with a gallery of works depicting God’s House Tower from the city’s nationally designated collection.
Specialist interpretation designers, HKD, are working on a permanent exhibition in the Tower to bring the building’s rich history to life.
“This amazing development is an accolade to 'a-space' and partnership working. Turning this wonderful heritage site into a useable and accessible space for Southampton’s growing cultural scene, whilst preserving its integrity, is part of the Council’s strategic vision for key historic venues such as this. God’s House Tower has an incredible story, that will now be told to a new audiences, both near and far.”
Councillor Satvir Kaur, Cabinet Member for Homes & Culture
"It’s an exciting time to be part of Southampton’s cultural scene and a privilege to present a vibrant exhibitions programme which retells the forgotten history of Gods House Tower."
Tony Spencer, Programme and Exhibitions Manager, ‘a space’
It is anticipated that the new arts and heritage venue will open in summer 2019.