A County Armagh architectural firm has released an ambitious conceptual design that reimagines Marlborough House as the centerpiece of a transformed Craigavon, proposing to turn the controversial building and its surrounding area into a vibrant civic quarter. The proposal by McCreanor and Co comes as the building has secured Grade B1 listing protection, permanently safeguarding it from demolition or external modifications.
Marlborough House has long been a source of heated debate among residents, with many calling for the demolition of what they consider an eyesore in favor of more contemporary development. However, the recent granting of Grade B1 listing status has definitively ended those discussions, ensuring the building's preservation for future generations. This protective designation has prompted local architects to shift their focus from demolition debates to creative adaptive reuse possibilities.
Paul McCreanor, speaking on behalf of his firm, explained that their latest concept evolved from initial advocacy for the building's retention into a comprehensive reimagining of Craigavon's urban core. "This project began as an exploration of alternatives to demolition for Marlborough House," McCreanor stated. "As local architects with a deep connection to the area, we felt it was important to look beyond the surface and imagine what could be possible."
The architects have drawn an ambitious comparison between Marlborough House and world-renowned landmarks, arguing for the building's cultural significance. "Love it or hate it, Marlborough House has a distinct architectural identity, one that, in its own way, helps define Craigavon's character, much like the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty does for their cities," McCreanor emphasized. This perspective represents a dramatic shift in how the building might be perceived and valued by the community.
The new conceptual design builds upon McCreanor and Co's earlier work from February, when they first proposed transforming Marlborough House into a larger, contemporary structure that would provide both practical and aesthetic value to the community. At that time, McCreanor argued that complete demolition "would be to erase a key part of Craigavon's narrative." The current proposal, developed seven months later and following the building's protected status, takes this vision significantly further.
Central to the new design is the transformation of Marlborough House itself, which would be renovated and extended to accommodate a diverse mix of functions including educational facilities, community spaces, and potentially residential units. However, the architects' vision extends far beyond the building itself, encompassing the entire surrounding area in a comprehensive urban redevelopment strategy.
The most striking element of the proposal involves reimagining the main roundabout as a sunken amphitheater surrounded by parkland. This Roman amphitheater-inspired design would create a civic space dedicated to learning, dialogue, and everyday community life. McCreanor described this concept as "reminiscent of Solitude Park in Banbridge, but on a larger, more integrated scale." The amphitheater would be strategically positioned to complement the proposed educational facility, creating synergies between formal learning and community engagement.
The northeastern section of the development, along Lake Road, would feature a large community building designed as a flexible venue for events and exhibitions. This multipurpose facility would serve as a cultural anchor for the district, capable of hosting Christmas markets that would spill into the adjacent amphitheater, displaying art installations, and accommodating pop-up galleries. The building would provide a year-round gathering space for community members and serve as a focal point for cultural activities.
McCreanor and Co's vision explicitly connects to Craigavon's original planning concepts, emphasizing community, experience, and connectivity as core principles. The proposal addresses current challenges with vacant land and oversized roundabouts by transforming them into integrated components of a connected civic quarter. This approach represents a fundamental reimagining of how the area could function as a cohesive urban environment.
The architects have emphasized that their work remains a conceptual study rather than a formal development proposal. However, they have articulated a clear objective for their efforts: "to show that Craigavon can evolve, not through demolition or short-term fixes, but through bold, thoughtful reuse and civic imagination." This philosophy positions adaptive reuse and comprehensive planning as alternatives to more disruptive development approaches.
The proposal includes detailed attention to connectivity improvements, featuring enhanced pathways that would better link different areas of the development and integrate the civic quarter with surrounding neighborhoods. These connectivity enhancements are designed to address current circulation challenges and create a more pedestrian-friendly environment that encourages community interaction and engagement.
While the conceptual design represents an ambitious vision for Craigavon's future, its realization would require significant investment, community support, and coordination among multiple stakeholders. The architects have positioned their work as a catalyst for broader discussions about the area's development potential rather than a definitive plan, hoping to inspire civic imagination and demonstrate the possibilities inherent in thoughtful urban regeneration strategies.
