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God's House Tower New Arts Venue

Mountjoy was awarded a contract to refurbish God’s House Tower, part of the Grade I listed ancient town walls in Southampton – into a new arts and heritage venue for local arts charity ‘a space’ arts.

The project has been made possible with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, Southampton City Council, the Barker-Mill Family Foundation and other national foundations.

God’s House Tower is a late 13th century gatehouse in the old town of Southampton in Hampshire. It has served as the town gaol and housed the Museum of Archaeology.
The refurbishment works include plans to remove modern internal walls, install a lift granting access to the upper floors and introduce a new café and event space, reanimating the building and returning public access to the historic site.

‘a space’ arts provides opportunities for emerging artists to make new work and develop their careers, along with supporting audiences to engage and learn from high quality artistic experiences.

2018
17 September 2018

Demolition Works

After site setup, Mountjoy set to work with the demolition works, mechanical and electrical strip out and investigation works.
04 October 2018

Excavations

Removal of flagstones in prep for piling. Formation of lift pit excavation, nothing found before new foundations. Discovery of an existing structure between the inner and outer stone leaf of the building.
20 November 2018

Progression of the South opening

South entrance opening works, dismantling the internal leaf.
2019
20 February 2019

Installation of the lift

Lift has been installed, roof lights have been completed on the 1st floor, steel beam to south opening has been installed.
20 March 2019

Tower Decking

Walls, steels and joists are now forming a roof structure to the extension. Glazing works have been carried out and decking to the tower is in progress.
25 April 2019

Decorations and stairwork

Decorations are progressing, first floor ceiling panels are installed. Tower stair foundations are all complete with staircase in formwork.
17 May 2019

Sliding doors

Lots of stages of the project are now complete including roof coverings, leadwork, skirtings. The lift shaft has progressed as have partitions, screens and sliding doors.
21 June 2019

Roof covering completes

Dwarf walls, insulation, underfloor heating and screed now complete in extension. Roof covering, screens and sliding doors to mezzanine area are all complete. Electrical second fix has progressed through most areas with mechanical underway.
15 August 2019

Food servery fit out

Worktops, fridges, and drink dispensers have been installed ready for the café franchise that will be moving in.
17 September 2019

Completion of the stairwell

Following the installation of the lift, the wall finishes, flooring and stair balustrade were completed.
21 September 2019

Open Day

Following completion of the works the a-space arts team held a Heritage Open Day offering visitors tours.
Presenting to the Public

With all the refurbishment works complete, the café can open (which will be run by bakers Hoxton Bakehouse), and the building can host live music and art exhibitions amongst other things.