Restoration of North Gate Hall, Oxford
We advised on all aspects of Party Wall and Neighbourly matters for the restoration of North Gate Hall in Oxford to it’s original use as a Presbyterian Church.
Project Background and History
North Gate Hall is a Grade II listed building in the heart of Oxford (St Michael’s Street), originally constructed in 1871 as a Methodist chapel designed by architect J.C. Curtis. In the 1930s, after extensive remodelling, it became the bustling home of the Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (OICCU) – a hub for student ministries and evangelical events.
However, the building’s usage evolved dramatically in the late 20th century. Following a fire in 2001 and OICCU’s departure, the hall saw secular uses – it housed offices and a community centre in the 1980s - 90s, and later operated as a Bill’s restaurant from 2012 until its closure in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. This turbulent recent history left the once-sacred space dormant and in need of renewal.
Revival Vision and Project Scope
In 2022, Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church (OEPC) partnered with Quinlan Terry Architects to reclaim North Gate Hall and restore it to its original purpose as a church and community venue. Oxford City Council agreed to sell the historic hall to the congregation (which had initially leased it) so it could be “renovated back into a church”.
The project’s brief was clear: repair and restore the building to its 1870s chapel layout while integrating up-to-date facilities for a modern church and conference venue. In practical terms, this means undoing many 20th-century alterations and reinstating the hall’s Victorian architectural features.
Planning consents have been obtained for comprehensive works, and the restoration of North Gate Hall has been ongoing since 2021 to transform the space from a restaurant back into a functioning chapel
Key restoration actions include removal of intrusive later additions and reconstruction of original elements. For example, internal partitions, modern staircases, and a mezzanine floor (installed during its restaurant phase) are being removed. A new first-floor gallery, reminiscent of the original 19th-century chapel balcony, is being inserted in their place. Several bricked-up windows from past renovations are being re-opened, and historic window and door joinery is under repair or replacement in line with heritage guidelines.
The aim is to “put the building back the way it was built and use it the way it was built to be used”, returning the hall to a worship and assembly space true to its 1870s design. At the same time, the plans incorporate modern amenities – from upgraded heating and lighting to accessible entrances – to ensure the rejuvenated North Gate Hall meets contemporary standards for comfort, safety, and versatility as a conference and events venue.
Party Wall Considerations and Anstey Horne’s Role
Given North Gate Hall’s central urban location, the construction works directly impact adjacent structures – triggering the need for Party Wall agreements.
We were brought in to replace the incumbent party wall surveyors whose inexperience with complicated structural works affecting a listed building in a conservation area had delayed works for 9 months.
From the outset we advised on all party wall and neighbourly matters. For the restoration of North Gate Hall, our expertise was critical to enabling intrusive structural repairs while safeguarding the interests of surrounding properties.
Our Party Wall advice encompassed the full process of compliance and coordination:
- Notices and Awards: Identifying the adjoining owners (including a 1950s office building, and a hotel both abutting the hall) and serving the required Party Wall notices in advance of construction starting. We then negotiated and drew up formal Party Wall Awards, which set out the conditions under which work like excavation and underpinning could proceed lawfully and with minimal risk to neighbouring premises.
- Structural Safeguarding: We worked closely with the structural engineers for the scheme in respect of the temporary supports and monitoring regimes so that removing or altering parts of those walls would not compromise the neighbours’ building stability.
- Neighbour Liaison: We communicated technical details to the adjoining property owners, addressing their concerns and building trust. Our approach with the neighbours assured them in a way that led to an agreed surveyor’s appointment. Regular inspections and condition surveys were conducted to document the state of neighbouring buildings before, during, and after the intrusive works.
Thanks to this proactive approach, the project’s heavy structural interventions have so far proceeded smoothly under agreed terms. Our management of the Party Wall process protected the client from potential legal pitfalls and maintained good relations with Oxford City neighbours – a vital factor in a tight city-centre site.
Construction Progress and Structural Work (2024–2025)
With permissions and party wall agreements in place, the restoration of North Gate Hall entered a complex construction phase. The current phase of works (as of 2024–2025) focuses on replacing and strengthening the building’s entire lower structure, which had deteriorated over years of altered use. Major tasks underway include:
- Floor Structure Replacement: The basement and ground floor structures are being completely replaced with new steel beams, load-bearing walls, and reinforced foundations. This involves carefully demolishing the old timber and concrete flooring systems and inserting a new steel framework to support the historic shell of the building. New concrete footings are being cast to improve ground stability, all engineered to carry the loads of the restored upper hall (including the reinstated gallery).
- Removal of Non-Original Features: Contractors have dismantled a disused concrete baptistery tank that was previously installed at the ground floor (a later addition not part of the original chapel design). Likewise, a block of 20th-century toilet rooms built into the ground floor has been removed. Taking out these elements clears the way to return to an open, uninterrupted main hall space as it was in the 1870s.
- Temporary Propping and Reinstatement: During these works, extensive temporary supports have been installed to uphold the structure of the building. For example, when the ground-floor toilets were removed, the walls above (which had been inadvertently supported by that structure) had to be shored up with steel props. Similarly, the existing kitchen and an accessible (disabled) toilet have been temporarily taken out of service and dismantled to allow access for construction – they will be re-fitted in updated form upon completion of the structural works. This careful sequencing ensures the building’s fabric is not compromised at any stage.
- Collaborative Execution: The main contractor, Barr Group (Barr Build), is spearheading these heritage works, working closely with structural engineers (Solid Engineering) and the architects. The team has coordinated each demolition and insertion task in line with listed building consent requirements and our neighbourly advice.
Despite the challenges of working within a tight historic structure, the project is on track. By mid-2025, the new structural framework is taking shape, and the outline of the original chapel interior is being revealed once more.
Client Feedback on the Restoration of North Gate Hall
Commenting on our work on the project, Neil Martin of the Oxford Presbyterian Church stated:
“It was a complicated project as dealing with very historic buildings surrounding the project, but [Anstey Horne] understood the issues and [were] able to get onto it straight away…..
[The programme] was so tight due to the previous [surveyors] delays, however when [Anstey Horne] were appointed, [they] turned it around. We thought we would have to stop the project due to the delays, but [Anstey Horne] expedited the whole thing. [They] had a plan within 24 hours of the initial conversation and had issued letters to neighbours within 72 hours. [Anstey Horne] saved the project”
Outcome and Significance - Restoration of North Gate Hall
Once restoration is complete, North Gate Hall will be reborn as a vibrant church and conference venue in central Oxford, merging its Victorian heritage with modern functionality.
The Oxford Presbyterian congregation plans to resume weekly worship in the hall and also open its doors for wider community use – from student events to seminars and concerts.
Notably, this project may be the only one of its kind in the UK – converting a former church-turned-restaurant fully back to its original sacred use. Heritage professionals and the local council alike have praised the sensitive approach, noting that the plans “accord with the special character… of the listed building”.
The North Gate Hall project is a showcase of our expertise in enabling complex refurbishments in dense, historic urban settings. By deftly handling the Party Wall matters and collaborating with the design and construction team, we helped pave the way for this landmark restoration to proceed.
This case exemplifies how early engagement of specialist surveyors can protect neighbouring properties, ensure regulatory compliance, and ultimately add value to heritage developments. With the hall’s original features being re-instated and its structural backbone renewed, the project is set to give Oxford a 19th-century landmark with a 21st-century future.
Contact - Restoration of North Gate Hall
For further Guidance when appointing a Party Wall Surveyor and information on all aspects of this service see the collection of articles in our blog.
There is some further information in the government’s explanatory booklet on the Party Wall process.
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If you are planning work that is covered by the Act, or if you have received notice of work from a neighbour and want advice on how best to protect your property please contact:
Rickie Bloom
BSc (Hons) MRICS
Senior Director
Party Walls
London