Client:
North Lanarkshire Council
Location: Motherwell, North Lanarkshire
Project value: undisclosed
Completion Date: 2027
Motherwell Town Hall occupies a prominent position on Hamilton Road, where its clock tower and sandstone elevations form an important part of the approach into the town centre. MAST were appointed following an initial options appraisal to develop the repair and conversion of the Category C Listed building into 20 new homes for social rent.
The project forms part of wider town centre regeneration ambitions and required a careful balance between conservation and the practical demands of residential use. The original building has a particularly deep plan, with a large hall to the rear that limited opportunities for natural light, ventilation and usable external space.
A strategy of selective demolition was therefore developed, removing the principal hall while retaining the more architecturally significant elements that define the building’s relationship with Hamilton Road and the surrounding Conservation Area. The retained walls of the former hall are reduced in height to form a secure enclosure around new gardens, drying areas, cycle and bin storage, giving the historic footprint a new role within the residential layout.
Existing stairs and entrances are reused wherever possible, with new flats arranged around the retained structure and communal courtyard. Historic finishes within shared areas are retained and repaired where appropriate, helping preserve the character of the original building.
Externally, natural stone and lime-based materials are used to repair the masonry, with traditional roof finishes and rainwater goods reinstated. Replacement sash and case windows are based on historic photographs while providing improved acoustic and thermal performance. A carefully modelled insulation strategy upgrades comfort and energy efficiency without compromising the traditional fabric, complemented by discreet photovoltaic panels serving communal areas.
The result is a conservation-led retrofit that secures a viable new use for a prominent civic building while retaining its contribution to Motherwell’s townscape.
