Hotel and rooftop bar plan for Fenwicks
PLANS have been submitted for a 92 room hotel and rooftop bar at the old Fenwick building in Leicester.
The plans include converting the upper floors of the building into 92 studio, one bedroom and two bedroom suites - designed to bring out the period detail of the building, using existing features wherever possible, the application says.
The rooftop bar would be in a single storey extension, and open to guests staying in the apartments along with private members.
There would also be a roof terrace, semienclosed courtyard and greenhouse and winter garden room.
It would be operated by a hospitality management company supported by a “global lifestyle brand and bar operation”.
Applications for planning and listed building consent for the restoration and conversion of the upper floors has now been submitted to Leicester City Council.
The aparthotel and bar plans sit alongside separate applications for planning and listed building consent to convert the ground floor into four stores.
Developer Aimrok Holdings and planning consultant Hybrid Planning & Development have been working with Leicester architects rg+p on the plans.
Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I very much welcome these plans, particularly the inclusion of a 92 room aparthotel.
“This will be great for business users and families visiting the city and will offer an alternative to a more conventional hotel stay.
“With rg+p, the developer has chosen a longestablished, local firm with a very successful track record.
“The former Fenwick’s building is an important and much-loved part of the city’s heritage, and I am very pleased to see these exciting plans progressing so quickly.”
The Fenwick store, on the corner of Market Street and Belvoir Street, has been empty since the spring, a victim, according to group chairman Mark Fenwick, of “the challenging trading environment and gradual loss of footfall” after the city’s retail heart shifted towards Highcross shopping centre.
In May it was revealed developer Aimrok Holdings had bought the landmark site and planned to split it into different uses.
Aimrok director Jason Sobey said: “We bought the building because it is a historical landmark for Leicester and we wanted to ensure it would remain a significant destination within the city.
“Our vision is to create a contemporary, exclusive development, similar to the hugely successful Gotham Hotel in Manchester, which sympathetically combines the heritage of the building whilst giving it a new lease of life.
“We considered it of extreme importance to retain city-based architects who would not only understand the importance of the building locally but who could also develop a creative and sustainable design to stand out in the modern marketplace.
“We believe rg+p has achieved the perfect blend and are excited to see the development enter the next phase.”
The department store was designed by architect Isaac Barradale and dates back to 1880.
It is located in a conservation area and part of the building is grade II listed.
James Badley, director at rg+p in Princess Road West, Leicester, said: “The proposed scheme has been carefully considered to sensitively restore the existing distinctive façades whilst creating high quality, luxury accommodation.
“We’ve worked closely with the planning team at Leicester City Council, conducting visual impact assessments to ensure the scheme complements the existing vernacular.
“Materials such as copper panelling, stainless steel and powder coated window frames have been incorporated to achieve this.
“Working on this project represents a fantastic opportunity to continue our investment in our home city - where our influence can be seen on much of the surrounding cityscape.
“We’re pleased to be part of the team transforming this iconic building for the future.”
Claire Day, a director at London-based Hybrid Planning & Development, is managing the project team which also includes leading experts in heritage, transport and acoustics.
She said: “We’re pleased to be working in parallel with such a proactive local authority in seeking to bring a landmark building back into full and productive use.
“The scheme will not only preserve the special character and architectural integrity of the building but also improve the vitality of this part of the city, ensuring Leicester continues to compete regionally.”
Aimrok Holdings has already done restoration projects within the city, including converting the former Bishop Street Post Office into student flats and creating other student accommodation in Millstone Lane into high quality student accommodation.
The company is also working on another student scheme in Dover Street.
Jason Sobey: “Leicester is a vibrant place to live and work, full of originality.
“Our commitment to the city is long-term and together with our project partners we’re hoping for a positive outcome from this planning application.”