New Blackpool office build named best in Lancashire

A new office for Department of Work and Pensions in Blackpool has been named as the best new building in Lancashire.

The office, which opened this spring, was awarded the sub-regional project of the year award – Lancashire at the prestigious North West Regional Construction Awards.

The award comes as a new timelapse video showing the complete build is made available. The video shows the 27-month process of converting East Topping Street car park into Blackpool’s biggest office building, now called Fylde View.

As well as bringing 3,000 DWP workers into the town centre, the build was completed on time and on budget.

The construction created 223 jobs, with 60 people taken out of unemployment by the scheme, £25m spent with local SMEs and 12 young people trained up through an on-site community skills centre.

The seven-storey building was delivered by Blackpool Council, alongside nationwide placemaker, Muse, and main contractor VINCI Building.

The new office building was the third phase in Blackpool’s £350m redevelopment of the Talbot Gateway around the train station, which in total is bringing over 8,000 professional workers and students into the town centre.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for economy and built environment, said: “This is one of the most ambitious builds in Blackpool since the Tower and I’m delighted that this council was able to make it happen.

“Not only have we regenerated a run-down patch of land, but the build created hundreds of construction jobs for local people. The economic boost of bringing 3,000 professional workers into the town centre will benefit the local economy for years to come.

“If you look at the artist’s impression from three years ago, and the completed building we’ve delivered, they are almost identical. We’re regenerating the town centre at speed, with work on two new developments under way to bring another 4,000 people into the area.

“If you look around town, you can already start to see new private businesses using the opportunity of extra workers on their doorstep and investing in new or improved premises and creating jobs for local people, which is fantastic.”

The regeneration of Talbot Gateway has already delivered the 125,000 sq ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a Sainsbury’s supermarket, and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park, alongside extensive public spaces for the community to enjoy.

A new four star 144-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel and Marco Pierre White New York Italian restaurant, and tram-train interchange linking to Blackpool Promenade opened in 2024.

Work has also started to prepare land for a Multiversity campus for Blackpool and the Fylde College, bringing up to 3,000 more students and staff into the area. Vinci Building also started construction of a new 52,950 sq ft office for another 1,100 UK Government workers off Talbot Road in May.

Alan McBride, technical director at Muse, said: “With Fylde View we took a holistic approach in its creation, our ultimate aim being for this workspace to benefit people within the entire Blackpool community and act as a further catalyst for the town’s resurgence.

“With its sustainability credentials, design reflecting Blackpool’s architectural heritage, features to reduce energy consumption and enhance the wellness of its occupants, and the high impact social value delivered, it’s a great example of how strong partnerships can deliver results. This award is testament to that and highlights the significance of what’s been achieved at Fylde View.”

Jamie Jackson, VINCI Building’s senior project manager, added: "Winning the Best New Building Award reflects the incredible collaboration, dedication, and hard work of our teams.

"The new seven-storey Civil Service Hub stands as a central landmark in Blackpool, showcasing sustainable design, construction, and operation that align with our environmental goals. Its been a real privilege to deliver such a transformational project."

 For more information about plans to make Blackpool better, visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/betterblackpool  and to enquire about moving your business into the Talbot Gateway visit www.talbotgateway.com