R&M Williams has won the coveted Master Builder of the Year 2025 Award for the remarkable restoration of Swansea’s historic Palace Theatre, and its transformation into a modern workspace and cultural hub. The project also secured the Commercial or Public Sector Project category at the national awards.

The Palace Theatre, a Grade II listed building constructed in 1888, is the oldest surviving theatre in the city. However, the empty building had fallen into such a dilapidated condition that there were concerns it could collapse. Following the building’s purchase by the Council in 2019, plans were announced for an extensive 3-year restoration to convert it into a new business hub offering flexible coworking spaces, private offices, virtual office services, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, and event space.

The project faced significant challenges, including disruptions to material supply and resources during the Covid-19 pandemic. Overcoming these obstacles required determination, close collaboration, and adaptability from all parties involved.

Through Early Contractor Involvement, R&M Williams worked closely with the Council’s team during design development, advising them on buildability and providing guidance on overcoming the significant challenges and constraints that were apparent at the outset. Our experience in restoration of derelict buildings was crucial in delivering this challenging project in a confined space with many structural issues.

Due to the tight timeframe, scheduling trades was a major challenge. During the intensive final four months of the project, all trade were involved in the delivery. At its busiest, the site saw 66 operatives onsite at any one time.

To view our Palace Theatre case study click https://rmwgroup.co.uk/case-studies/palace-theatre-grade-ii-listed-building-restoration/

To view the FMB Awards website click https://www.fmb.org.uk/2025-master-builder-awards/2025-winners.html