Revitalising Blackpool’s Heritage: The Transformation of the Stanley Buildings into ‘The Robinson’
We are delighted to announce that Cassidy + Ashton’s work on the transformation of Blackpool’s Stanley Buildings into ‘The Robinson’ has been recognised with the prestigious Best Refurbishment Award at the Blackpool Civic Trust Awards.
The award celebrates the meticulous restoration of this 1930s Art Deco landmark, which has been reimagined as a thriving £8.2m business hub. For Cassidy + Ashton, this project was more than a renovation; it was a commitment to preserving Blackpool’s architectural legacy while delivering a high-performance, sustainable future for the town’s business community.
The judges highlighted the project’s success in balancing the preservation of a key heritage asset with the demands of modern commercial use. Named in honour of John Charles Robinson, the visionary architect behind Blackpool’s landmark civic buildings, ‘The Robinson’ stands as a testament to his original 1930s elegance.
Key features that secured the award include:
- Faithful Restoration: Meticulous repair of the Art Deco facade, including period-accurate windows, shopfronts, and brickwork re-pointing.
- Environmental Leadership: The integration of solar panels and air source heat pumps, drastically reducing the building’s carbon footprint—a rarity for a heritage building of this scale.
- Economic Impact: Transforming a “building at risk” into a managed workspace that supports Blackpool Council’s £350m regeneration strategy.
“Winning the Best Refurbishment Award is a proud moment for the entire team,” says Lawrence McBurney, Director at Cassidy + Ashton. “The Stanley Buildings are a vital part of Blackpool’s identity. By modernising the internal infrastructure while protecting the iconic Art Deco exterior, we’ve ensured that John Charles Robinson’s legacy continues to play a role in the town’s economic growth for another century.”
The Robinson now offers flexible office and meeting spaces designed to attract businesses back into the town centre. As part of a wider movement bringing 8,000 workers and students into the area, this award-winning project serves as a blueprint for how heritage buildings can be successfully repurposed to meet 21st-century needs.
