Would hotel be a class apart?
PLAN FOR DERELICT INDUSTRIAL UNIT
AMBITIOUS designs for a striking aparthotel on the banks of the River Tyne have been unveiled.
Plans for the 18-bedroom development on the site of a derelict industrial storage unit in Ouseburn have been sent to Newcastle City Council.
The vacant site is near to the Tyne Bar, in Maling Street, and developers say that their plan would represent a major improvement on the “incongruous” existing building, which would be demolished.
Miller Partnership Architects’ application states: “This proposal seeks to respond to the special architectural character of the Ouseburn Valley Conservation Area and Newcastle City Centre’s own vision for the Ouseburn Valley as ‘a thriving and sustainable urban village.’” It adds: “The principal intention
is to enable viable redevelopment of a derelict site via design of a new building, which is complementary to the essential character of the conservation area and makes a positive contribution to the public realm.” A previous plan to demolish the industrial unit and build four new homes in its place was rejected by council bosses due to concerns over noise from the Tyne Bar. But the architects say the aparthotel would use acoustically sealed, non-opening windows and other measures to minimise the noise heard by guests. The applicant added: “Our team have a long association with the Ouseburn. While also living and working within the immediate area for more than 15 years, we have undertaken numerous elements of work, ranging from urban master-planning to small-scale residential interventions within the valley. “Throughout this process, we have endeavoured to define an architecture which is authentic, modern and appropriate to this vibrant, post-industrial urban context.” The owners of an adjacent building in Maling Street have recently been granted permission to convert it from lock up storage into a cafe.
The proposal seeks to respond to the special architectural character of the conservation area Miller Partnership