Newcastle firm to design new Council offices

Date published: 13 October 2009

A company based in Newcastle has been chosen to design the new £55 million Council offices.

Architect Faulkner Browns won the contract to design the building, which will house 2,000 council staff.

The development will include a new library and information centre, public customer services, training and conference facilities together with offices for the NHS.

The current municipal offices, 'the Black Box', will be demolished and replaced with a new building on Smith Street. Construction will start next summer and the building is due to be completed by autumn 2012.

Steve McIntyre, partner with Faulkner Browns, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be working with Rochdale Borough Council on this new building for customers and staff. It will provide a centralised location for public services and create a new and welcoming destination in Rochdale town centre. We are confident that the borough's residents will be proud of the building."