The successful redevelopment of a facility which has supported some of the country's most disadvantaged people for over 80 years was named Best Partnership Project at this year's Liverpool Daily Post Property Awards.
Cosmopolitan Housing Association received the award for its project to redevelop the Birkenhead YMCA. The building, which is home to some 56 homeless people, was recognised as the best in its class, alongside other high profile developments.
The original YMCA building, which opened in 1937, had become increasingly costly to maintain and repair and was no longer felt to be meeting the needs of its users, including the local community.
In 2002, the YMCA called in Cosmopolitan HA, who carried out a feasibility study and led on the subsequent redevelopment of the building, which was completed in July 2007.
Funding of £2.2 million was secured through the Housing Corporation, the European Regional Development Fund and the Housing Market Renewal Programme. This enabled Cosmopolitan to demolish the old YMCA building and create a striking modern £6.2 million facility on the same site.
The new building provides good quality ensuite single rooms for 56 homeless men and women, along with communal facilities and on-site personal support. It also provides a range of facilities for the local community. Separate entrances for the two client groups are linked by a common reception area to provide the right balance of privacy and integration for residents.
Geoff Redhead, Chief Executive of Cosmopolitan Housing Group said:
"We are absolutely delighted to have won this award and also to have been shortlisted in the Social Housing Residential Development category.
It was a particularly challenging project as we needed to ensure the minimum amount of disruption for residents while the old building was being demolished and replaced.
We are particularly grateful to Wirral Borough Council who helped in this respect by providing temporary accommodation for residents through the redevelopment.
The new building is as different from its somewhat institutional predecessor as it's possible to get. People have commented on how bright and welcoming it feels and we believe it represents an important contribution to what is now the now up-and-coming NewHeartlands housing market renewal area. "
