St Ives Malakoff revamp finished as Hepworth sculpture returns

For anyone arriving in St Ives by bus or train, the first real look at the bay comes from the Malakoff. And after two phases of work stretching back to 2025, that open space above the harbour is finished.

The scheme, funded through the St Ives Town Deal, has turned the St Ives landmark into what partners describe as an attractive, safe and welcoming place for everyone to enjoy. There’s new granite paving, a bespoke bus shelter, illuminated benches, a historic millwheel back in place and, after a spell away, Dame Barbara Hepworth’s Epidauros II.

Part of a plan to get people out of cars

The work forms part of the St Ives Town Deal Low Carbon Transport Strategy, which aims to reduce the impact of vehicles on the town and encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport.

It was developed and constructed by Cormac with local architects Lavigne Lonsdale, and delivered by Cornwall Council in partnership with the St Ives Town Deal Board and St Ives Town Council, which looks after the space.

Cllr Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport, said: “It is good to see the completion of another phase of the St Ives Low Carbon Transport Strategy. One of the key aims of the Strategy is to encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport. I hope that this scheme, which includes a new bus layby and bus shelter and is sited next to the rail station, will encourage more people to travel to the town by bus and train.

“The Malakoff, with its incredible views of the Bay, has always been a popular place to visit. The new seating and paving have created a safer, more accessible and even more attractive environment and I am sure that both local residents and visitors will enjoy it.”

Where Epidauros II went while the diggers moved in

One of the trickier parts of the job had nothing to do with paving. Epidauros II, the Barbara Hepworth sculpture that has become part of the Malakoff’s identity, had to be moved out of the way.

It was temporarily relocated to the Penwith Gallery, where it stayed on public view throughout the project. The move was co-ordinated through a partnership between St Ives Town Council, Tate, Penwith Gallery, Cornwall Council and Cormac.

Specialist art handler Sculpture Transport UK, which also relocated Hepworth’s Dual Form, oversaw the move. Damon Bramley of Sculpture Transport UK and Tom Leaper, artist and sculptor, supported it on behalf of Penwith Gallery.

The historic millwheel was also taken away and put into storage so it could be reinstated once the work was done. Restoration of Epidauros II was one of the final pieces of the scheme, finished in the last few weeks along with the planting and landscaping.

How the work unfolded

The first phase, completed in the first half of 2025, created a new bus layby and footway. Repairs were also carried out on the car park steps and a nearby parapet wall that had been damaged by vehicle collisions.

The project team then worked with stakeholders and the local community to finalise designs for the second phase. That covered the new bus shelter and information point, plus seating, paving and landscaping.

Work on the second phase began in late autumn 2025. The millwheel went back in early 2026, creating a prominent focal point.

Granite by hand, bronze to match Hepworth

Because the Malakoff is one of the key routes into St Ives, the team used materials chosen to complement the local vernacular, including granite for the paving and seating.

A specialist masonry team from Cormac laid around 440 individual granite setts (137.28m²) by hand. They also installed 11 bespoke seating areas made up of 61 individual sections of granite, each placed individually so the benches follow the gentle slope of the Malakoff. The benches have locally sourced timber seats, and the large central ones double as planters. The team also repaired the Malakoff’s outer wall.

Local specialists fabricated the steel fixings that hold the millwheel in place. And in keeping with the Hepworth sculpture, bronze has been used in the bollards, the bike stands and the artwork of the millwheel.

Why it took longer than planned

Kieren Couch, Project Lead, acknowledged the scheme ran over. “We recognise that the delivery of the Malakoff scheme has taken longer than originally anticipated. This was largely due to the supply, fabrication and co-ordination of multiple bespoke components, many of which were supplied by local craftspeople and were necessary to achieve the right outcome deserved for such a prominent location.

“However, I hope the temporary disruption is considered in balance against the quality of the completed project and the enhanced environment that has now been created for all. The Malakoff is a primary gateway into the town for residents and visitors travelling by bus and the finished scheme now provides a welcoming, high-quality public space that supports the significance, character and charm of St Ives.”

Andy Berryman, speaking for Cormac, said: “Cormac is proud to have played a leading role in transforming the Malakoff. The project has been technically complex and involved the co-ordination of specialist skills, bespoke materials and heritage assets, all within a fairly constrained area. We are proud of the quality of the finished scheme and the collaborative approach that’s brought the vision to life.”

A tour of the finished space

Members of the St Ives Town Deal Board and St Ives Town Council joined representatives of the St Ives Transport Town Deal Project team, local councillors and officers from Cornwall Council and Cormac this week for a tour of the open space.

Andrew Baragwanath, Chair of the St Ives Town Deal Board, said: “It is great to see the completion of the works to improve the Malakoff. This is a very important area for our town and this long-awaited scheme has transformed it into a modern, vibrant public space worthy of the Barbara Hepworth legacy.

“We are very grateful to Cornwall Council and all the partners who have worked so hard to deliver this transformation. I would also like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience and support during the construction and hope that they enjoy visiting the finished scheme.”