The data centre in Ashton Old Baths has won a prestigious international award recognising the quality of its architecture.

The once-abandoned Victorian bathhouse, which has reopened as a council-owned data centre, was one of only 11 entries in a stellar global line-up.

But the state-of-the-art digital hub on Stamford Street West came out on top to win the Global Data Centre Architecture Award 2021. 

As well as housing local council and NHS infrastructure, space in the new facility will be offered commercially through a co-operative. 

Tameside Council say the data centre was about providing the digital infrastructure needed to enable and keep digital businesses in the local area. 

The data centre is in collaboration with Sudlows and MCAU Architects and is part of the wider St Petersfield redevelopment plan.

Tameside Council chief executive Steven Pleasant tweeted:

We’ve only gone and won it. Best in the world 😊 Not bad. Big shout out to @SudlowsLtd @oxinnovation @ashtonoldbaths @TamesideCouncil #ProudTameside https://t.co/nB8Re14t5A pic.twitter.com/2zjHPCQpiM

— TMBC CX (@tmbc_chiefexec) December 9, 2021

The category was decided by a public vote, with more than 4,000 people expressing their preference from a highly competitive shortlist. 

The annual DCD Awards celebrate the best data centre projects and the most talented people in the industry.

The finalists were selected by an independent panel of data centre experts from hundreds of entries, submitted by contestants from across the world including Europe, USA, Australia and Singapore. 

Councillor Oliver Ryan, Tameside Council executive member for Finance and Economic Growth, said: “The transformation of Ashton Old Baths is nothing short of phenomenal and I’m delighted to see it receive the international recognition it truly deserves. This building is a true jewel in the Tameside crown and the data centre will be essential for our borough for years to come.

“I can’t thank our team, our partners at Oxford Innovation, MCAU and Sudlow’s enough for bringing this project to life. This state-of-the-art hub shows the extent of our digital ambitions for St Petersfield and the wider Tameside area.”

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