Infiniti Construction Wins Multi-Million Contract For 'Architecturally And Culturally' Scarborough Landmark

Infiniti Construction is to begin work on one of the most architecturally and culturally significant buildings in the north of England after winning a multi-million pound contract to convert Scarborough's former Westwood School - home to the old Grade 2-listed Stephen Joseph Theatre - into 28 new one- and two-bedroom apartments.

The building is the first major work by the distinguished Scarborough architect Sir Edwin Cooper, who is said to have designed more buildings in the City of London than any architect since Sir Christopher Wren. Six carved relief panels on the south side of the building are attributed to the well-known monumental and architectural sculptor Henry Charles Fehr.

The former Westwood School is also the location of one of the first theatres-in-the-round in the UK created in 1976 by Stephen Joseph and which premiered all of Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s plays produced for the next 20 years until the theatre moved to its current town centre location in the mid-90s.

The 12-month, full turnkey project for Liverpool-based Sino Developments Ltd., will create work for about 50 part- and full-time trades jobs and follows other significant wins for Scarborough-based Infiniti Construction with redevelopment and refurbishment work on the town's The Esplanade Hotel and The Bike & Boot Hotel.

The future of the Westwood building, which opened in 1900 as a school, will be ensured with the conversion into residential use as will the historically important theatre-in-the-round which is set to become a co-working space, with open-plan work area, private meeting rooms and toilets.

Most recently the site was Yorkshire Coast College's Westwood Campus, the grounds of which now also offers the potential to create a new four-storey building to provide an additional 22 apartments.

Alex Willgrass and Marcus Rowe, Infiniti Construction Directors, working closely alongside project manager Sharon Lester, see the contract as an emphatic confirmation of Infiniti Construction's ability to win and deliver high quality construction projects on time and to budget.

"It is going to be a fantastic challenge for everyone here at Infiniti Construction to help enhance the fabric of one of the most architecturally and culturally significant buildings in the north of England, while creating modern, high quality, attractive, environmentally friendly living spaces," said Alex Willgrass.

Infiniti Construction previously worked on the full refurbishment of The Esplanade Hotel in 2021 and the conversion of The Mount Hotel into the Bike & Boot Hotel in 2020.

Established in 2015 and formerly part of the Infiniti Group, Infiniti Construction employs an experienced team of expert builders, roofing and general labourers, as well as an experienced administration and office team.

Its construction and roofing services include full new commercial, industrial and residential construction and roofing installations, repairs, and refurbishments.