New York architect chosen for £13m Preston Bus Station development

The winning design has been chosen in the architectural competition for Preston's iconic bus station and new Youth Zone Plus.

The plans will see a multi-million pound investment in the Grade II listed bus station site, to create a vibrant public space and a home for the new Preston Youth Zone Plus - while preserving the building’s unique brutalist architecture.

The public voted for their favourite design in July, at a special two-day exhibition held in the bus station and online. A total of 4,215 votes were cast by people choosing their favourite design for a new youth zone.

Jennifer Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "We always knew that the bus station had a global appeal, and the fact that the winning firm comes from New York reinforces this. We're delighted that a strong design has been chosen for the new Youth Zone Plus and we'll now be working hard to get it built.

"It's an exciting time for the city, with improvements taking place on Fishergate and the first steps in the redevelopment of Preston Market. These plans are all part of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal, which is creating new job opportunities, providing new housing and making it easier for people to get around."

"The three components of the project - the revitalisation of the modernist bus station, the new OnSide Youth Zone, and a large outdoor public space - offer a rich mixture of uses and the challenge of sensitively introducing contemporary design to the existing setting.

The county council and Preston Youth Zone will now work with the architects, John Puttick Associates, to agree on the final design, with the planning application submitted later this year.

The bus station will continue to be a major transport hub, with improved public areas. Maintenance and repair work on the bus station is expected to begin on site later this year. Planning approval will be required for the Youth Zone Plus, as well as listed building consent and approval from Historic England, before building work can start.