A centre for contemporary art and learning
The Tetley
In 2014 Group Ginger converted the original 1931 art deco former headquarters of the Tetley Brewery in central Leeds into The Tetley - a centre for contemporary art and learning that operated at the heart of the city's art community for the next decade.
The challenge was to celebrate the character of the building, originally conceived as an introverted HQ for brewery staff, whilst editing it to make it fit for purpose for its new use as a public art facility. Our aim was to to create a unique arts space that would significantly add to Leeds contemporary cultural landscape and allow the people of Leeds access to this special building for the first time.
Group Ginger's designs reworked the former office through a series of considered interventions and modern insertions to create new gallery spaces, an auditorium, learning space, café bar and workspaces all arranged around a spectacular wood-panelled central atrium which links to the original open staircase.
Group Ginger's design retained historical features, repaired damage and re‐appropriate the spaces to serve their new visitors, preserving the memory of the building's previous life and the important role it played within Leeds. The result is an exciting mix of the old and new with heritage preserved yet reinterpreted
After ten successful years of delivering ambitious art programmes, the gallery moved out the iconic building at the end of 2023 when their lease expired.
"Group Ginger's approach to the scheme skilfully wove historic textures with new spaces that are honest in telling the story of the building's past, whilst enabling a sustainable future. At all times, the creative aspects of the scheme were considered sensitively along with the business imperative to build towards a sustainable future. Simon's expertise, vision, and ability to signpost us to successful precursors nationally and internationally, made a major contribution to the ongoing flourishing of The Tetley today."
- Kerry Harker, Independent Curator and Client – The Tetley
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Client
The Tetley
