THE MULTI-MILLION revamp of the RSC’s Costume Workshop in Stratford has been short-listed for a prestigious award.
It joins some of the most impressive recent building projects from across the West Midlands shortlisted for the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards 2022.
The projects, which include schools, universities and even a cathedral will be judged by an expert judging panel, with winners of the RICS West Midlands regional awards announced virtually in May.
Other buildings shortlisted include the Exchange Building at the University of Birmingham, The Houtlon School in Rugby, the Worcester Cathedral Undercroft Learning Centre, and the Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme in Birmingham.
The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. They recognise outstanding achievement, teamwork and companies.
The redevelopment of the costume workshop, completed last year, cost some £8.7 million, which was raised through Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the RSC’s Stitch In Time campaign, which secured more than 30,000 donations.
The restored grade II listed buildings on Waterside now sit alongside newly created spaces capable of housing the 30-strong team – the largest in-house costume-making department of any British theatre.
The workshop is opposite the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres on the site of the 1887 Memorial Theatre Scene Dock, which is now the new entrance to the building.
It has been redesigned to provide more space and daylight and will be able to offer training and apprenticeships.
The costume workshop team had to relocate for two years while the restoration and redevelopment took place.
This involved packing up and moving 36 mannequins, 3,500 pairs of shoes, more than 1,710 reels of thread, 126 paintbrushes, 45 sewing machines and more.
