Pilot House’s £11.4m renovation taking off
MAYOR SIGNS OFF PLANS FOR MAJOR HUB FOR START-UPS
A DISUSED factory is set to be given an £11.4 million makeover in plans to transform it into a business hub at the heart of the city.
The Pilot House renovation scheme has been signed off by city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, bringing it one step closer to becoming a reality.
If planning permission is granted, the Leicester City Council-owned property in the city centre will be transformed into a major hub for start-ups and growing businesses and will support around 250 highlyskilled jobs.
It is hoped the scheme will encourage students graduating from both of the city’s university to remain in the area.
Pilot House fronts on to King Street, near New Walk, and backs on to Duke Street.
The council said: “The renovation will help regenerate a part of the city centre that has suffered disproportionately from loss of footfall and economic activity.
“It will grow the successful, but relatively invisible, city creative design cluster and refurbish a group of architecturally significant but currently dilapidated heritage buildings. The outcome will be a highly visible landmark ‘destination,’ a source of pride for Leicester, a hive of activity throughout the day and evening.”
Plans for the five-building complex include maintaining the existing industrial features such as its parquet flooring, exposed bricks and beams and creating a new courtyard entrance from King Street which would be taken up by food and drink businesses.
The central courtyard and an atrium would be built for shared use, as well as dedicated zone for technical and digital businesses and a coworking lounge.
If all goes to plan, work is expected to start on the building in 2023, with the building open for business from spring 2024.
The project is expected to adhere to “the lowest possible carbon emissions” both in terms of the day-today running of the building and also in the carbon footprint of construction materials and waste.
The scheme will be principally funded by money won through Leicester City Council’s successful levelling up bid. This will provide £8.6 million towards the scheme.
The remaining £2.8 million will be put up by the council.