THE Telegraph & Argus can today reveal how the interior of the transformed former Odeon building should look – with the publication of these designs for the city landmark’s reinvention as a live music venue.

Developer Bradford Live, the not-for-profit distribution social enterprise, is behind the plans for the vacant 1930s building, which have been submitted to Bradford Council this week.

Striking images contained in documents accompanying the planning application show just how vast the main auditorium will be once it is uncovered, renovated and transformed.

The submission of the plans brings the transformation of the iconic William Illingworth-designed building, also previously known as the New Victoria and Gaumont, one step closer.

Architect Aedas Arts Team has spent almost a year working up the detailed design proposals on behalf of developer Bradford Live.

The designs show just how the building can become a multi-use live entertainment and events venue with a capacity of around 4,000.

It details how across the interior of the building there will be a hierarchy and range of different approaches. In the ballroom, for example, where the original interior remains substantially intact, the decorative treatment will be to reinstate.

In other areas where a lot less historical detail remains, there will be a blending and some reinstatement against the building as found, such as in the entrance lobbies, the Crescent Foyer, the first floor foyer and the Cabaret Bar.

Other areas will have a new and more contemporary treatment.

The design documents state: “There is an aspiration to allow the shell of the original building to be clearly legible, whilst also making sense of its late 1920s/Art Deco lineage.

“Preserving the original found space, overlaying with a new contemporary deco inspired style to create characterful interior that reflects both the history of the venue, but that also looks forward to contemporary audiences.”

The illustrations, it adds, show “a direction of travel for the interior design” which will be formalised as the project progresses.

Certain aspects of the interior will not become clear until the 1960s cinema additions to the building are stripped out.

Lee Craven, of Bradford Live, confirmed to the Telegraph & Argus that preparatory work had already begun.

“The specialist contractors, who appoint their own demolition contractors, have already started prepping the site, and doing some initial surveys and inspections. There will be a short lull over Christmas of course, and then the strip-out works will resume at the beginning of January.”

The design and access statement adds that the transformation of the Odeon has the capacity to further enhance the city’s profile and create a “high-quality entertainment offer for the city and beyond”.

“Bradford Live’s plan is to strip out the 1969 insertions and restore the main auditorium to its original size and shape. Whilst most of the original art deco decoration in this area was removed in 1969, what remains will be kept.

“The well-preserved ballroom and restaurant wing will be restored back to its original state. Other areas of the building will also, for the most part, be put back to their original forms.

“The entire building will be served by new acoustic, electrical, heating, and cooling, ventilation, lighting and fire control systems. The new venue will be able to hold around 3,000 in fully seated mode; and up to 3,800 with standing stalls audience. The separate ballroom will hold around 800 people.”

It adds that the building itself will be held by the Bradford Live social enterprise, while the venue will be run commercially by the NEC Group.

Comparisons are made to the successful Brixton Academy, Hammersmith Apollo and Manchester Apollo midsize venues which were all created from former super-cinemas.

“Each has found a successful new use in today’s live entertainment market. They successfully bridge the gap between the arenas and the 1,500-2,000 ‘town hall’ type venues; finding a good balance between intimacy and scale.

“The new Bradford venue will play the same role for the West Yorkshire conurbation, as the other venues have for their respective conurbations and strengthen a national touring circuit of such sized venues.”

The main refurbishment, is expected to start next summer and will include the substantial repair and renovation of the existing building along with a small extension to provide extra catering and other facilities.

The work will repair and restore the shell of the building, install a new LED screen between the front towers and preserve original features, while installing modern, cost-effective and efficient lighting, cooling, ventilation and heating systems.

The north tower entrance will be restored to its original octagonal shape by relocating the electrical substation to the rear yard within a new service building.

The south turret will be the main entrance for audiences, while the north turret will be primarily used for VIP guests or restricted access.

As well as the auditorium, stage, ballroom and foyer there will also be a number of bars, including a VIP bar and a bar created in the old boiler room in the basement.