As reported by BDOnline, Richard Rogers of Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners has announced his support in the long-standing battle to save England’s Preston Bus Station from demolition. In a letter to the English Heritage, Rogers described the 1969 brutalist landmark as “truly a major modern building and an outstanding piece of 20th century architecture” that is in dire need of refurbishment.
“Preston Bus Station is not only admired internationally, but it also continues to be fully functioning. It is a critical transport hub,” he stated. “I would encourage you to consider listing the bus station and support a much-needed refurbishment.”
Due to Preston’s deteriorating state, vacant retail space and overall decline in use, a £300,000 yearly maintenance cost, and a - now expired - city center renovation plan that had hoped to redevelop the centrally located site, the Preston City Council voted in favor for the BDP-designed station’s demise last year.
Since, local and international supporters have aggressively protested the council’s decision and have teamed up to brainstorm numerous ways in which it could be redeveloped. Even the local entrepreneur-turned-millionaire Simon Rigby offered to buy the station and refurbish it himself.
In addition, Rem Koolhaas voiced his support last year, stating that England’s brutalist tradition is “one of its most creative and imaginative architectures” that should be treasured.
Despite this, no decisions on Preston’s fate have been made and the English Heritage has yet to make a decision on the station’s listing status.
