The debate has ended. A building argued to be one of Craigavon’s greatest eyesores has been officially granted listed status.
The Grade B1 listing of Marlborough House – granted on September 30 – will now afford the six-storey cuboid complex protections against demolition or substantial external alterations.
Providing rationale for the approval, the Department for Communities explained that it was built between 1973 and 1977 as part of the first – and, as it turned out, only – coordinated phase of the town centre of the ‘New City’ of Craigavon.
It adds: “It remains the only building of that initial town centre phase to have survived in anything resembling its original form and, as such, is an expressive representation of the whole Craigavon project, and a unique local structure.
“It is also one of Northern Ireland’s most unusual and distinctive Modernist 1970s designs, being a cuboid structure with a façade almost entirely ornamented by a space-age grid of concrete panels which are angled slightly, giving the block the impression of being wedge-shaped when viewed up close.
“Documentary evidence shows that Marlborough House was promoted as state-of-the-art office space, with contemporary sources repeatedly alluding to it being ‘one of the most advanced blocks in Britain’, an ‘ultramodern office block’, a ‘city centre showpiece’, with ‘accommodation of the highest standard’ that far outshone ‘anything on offer in the rest of Ulster’, with particular attention made to the ‘futuristic heating system’ utilising ‘thermal balance rays and which is completely automatic’, and the ‘use of natural light to cut down on costs’.”
A delegation of ABC Council officers visited Stormont in January this year to voice concerns around the proposed HED (Historic Environment Division) listing of the contentious building.
In September 2024, council received consultation from HED regarding the proposed listing, with councillors from across the chamber expressing strong opposition to the proposal.
The towering complex – opposite Rushmere Shopping Centre – was built in the 1970s as an office block as part of the initial development of the new city of Craigavon.
Marlborough House is currently owned by the Department of Finance, which plans to vacate the premises entirely by the end of 2025.
Listed buildings are those that have “special architectural or historic interest”, meaning planning permission for these properties is restricted.
The proposal to list the premises was met with fierce opposition from councillors across the district, with many citing the potential for negative consequences as a result.
Among the chorus of opposition, the Finance Minister voiced concerns that listing Marlborough House would have a “detrimental impact on the future viability of the site”, including astronomical costs of approximately £18 million to bring the building up to standard.
Councillor Scott Armstrong also previously spoke to the concerns of the public, adding: “These concerns cannot go unheard, and I am sure the people of Craigavon will not want to be left with the potential of this building lying dormant for years to come. In my mind, if this were to happen, it would be a hugely important development opportunity missed to develop this key site in central Craigavon.”
As an attempt to prove the building’s potential for redevelopment, one forward-thinking architecture firm, McCreanor & Co Architects, provided a conceptual design in February 2025
, which they said “offers a vision that goes beyond the black-and-white choice of listing versus demolition”.
However, with listing status now approved, it’s unlikely that their vision to “strike a balance between preserving its essence while ensuring it remains relevant and valuable to the local community” will ever be attainable.
The Department of Finance said it is “aware that the listing decision may impact on its ability to dispose of Marlborough House within the public sector”.
However, it will “continue to work with public sector colleagues to consider an alternative use for the site”.
