Horrified residents examine new £15million library to ‘Minecraft monstrosity’ as listed gem it changed is bought for simply £95,000

With its handsome red brick and ornate architecture, many people in King’s Lynn agree its Carnegie Library is exactly what a temple to learning should look like.

Unfortunately, that’s the old library – and the ‘multi-user hub’ that is replacing it has been criticised as a ‘cheap and nasty monstrosity’ that looks like something from children’s building game Minecraft or a hideous 1970s throwback.

The historic Norfolk market town’s much-loved early 20th century library – built with funds from the Scottish-American steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie – was sold to a performing arts group for a reported £95,000, despite a High Court challenge from local protesters.

It’s £15million replacement, on the site of a former Argos store, is due to open early next year but has provoked a wave of criticism.

Comments include ‘Who in their right mind decided and designed such a hideous eyesore?’ and ‘It looks cheap and nasty’ and ‘TF is that monstrosity?’.

One woman complained: ‘I must have said “It’s hideous” to my husband ten times when we were in town this week. It already looks dated.’

Another compared it to the popular children’s block building game, saying: ‘It looks like something from Minecraft!’

Despite the hundreds of despairing comments the building has generated online, Jane James, the Conservative Norfolk county councillor responsible for corporate services and innovation, denied any knowledge of a backlash.

The market town’s ornate red brick Carnegie Library, opened in 1905, has a tower entrance, buttresses and historical inscriptions

However the library is to be replaced with new £15million ‘multi-user hub’ – which is due to open early next year but has provoked a wave of criticism for its design

At a recent cabinet meeting, she was told by Lib Dem David Sayers: ‘Widespread resident feedback on the design of the new King’s Lynn multi-user hub has been les than flattering, with comments that its external appearance is dated and extremely reminiscent of 1970s architecture, rather than the modern, welcoming civic building promised as part of the town’s regeneration.

‘What lessons will the cabinet member take forward to ensure that future major capital projects include meaningful resident consultation on design aesthetics alongside function, so that public buildings inspire community pride and genuinely contribute to town centre regeneration, as intended?’ 

Cllr James responded: ‘Norfolk County Council is unaware of the “widespread resident feedback” that Mr Sayers refers to.

‘The building was designed with input from King’s Lynn Neighbourhood board and the design was consulted on as part of the planning application with a number of independent bodies providing feedback that has led to the final form.

‘The design captures both the local street scene and local building vernacular that is unique to such an important historic town as King’s Lynn.

‘The design of the building has also enhanced nearby heritage assets and provides a significant anchor that will help support local businesses.’

The new library was ‘clearly an enhancement on the previous building’, added the councillor, who is also a director of Repton Property Developments Ltd, which is owned by the council and builds ‘modern, affordable homes’.

The Carnegie Library was opened in May 1905 by Carnegie himself, who sold his company to JP Morgan for $303,450,000 in 1901 – the equivalent of around $ £11.5 billion today, or £8.6 billion.

Norfolk county councillor Jane James said the authority was unaware of the ‘widespread resident feedback’ and claimed the new library was ‘clearly an enhancement on the previous building’

He devoted his latter years of his life to philanthropy, particularly the building of local libraries.

The eye-catching Grade II-listed structure he bankrolled for the benefit of the community features a tower entrance, buttresses and historical inscriptions.

But it was sold to The Garage Trust, which was offering a range of performing arts opportunities, under a provision in the Local Government Act that allows property to be handed over for below market values to community groups.

A local petition to stop the sale gathered more than 1,000 signatures and a writing and storytelling group, The Margery Kempe Trust, lodged a legal challenge to the county council’s decision.

But the High Court ruled last month that there was ‘nothing to support the argument that the process itself was unfair’.

The county council was contacted for a comment.