City centre landmark to become an aparthotel
A LANDMARK building is to be turned into a luxury aparthote.
Grade II listed Grainger House, on the corner of Westgate Road and Clayton Street, in central Newcastle is to be converted into 19 apartments by the Gainford Group, after Newcastle City Council granted its approval for the project.
The developer had originally planned to turn the building into a 70-bed hotel, but changed minds in a bid to replicate the success of its Vermont Aparthotel on the Quayside.
Granting planning permission for the proposals at the former offices building, the council’s planners said: “The proposal to seek an alternative use for this important, currently vacant, listed building is considered acceptable in principle in this city centre location and the proposed use is considered sustainable, being in close proximity to good public transport, pedestrian, cycle routes and amenities.”
The council also said that the plans would have a “limited impact on and harm to” the character of the listed building, which dates back to 1837, and the surrounding conservation area.
The firm’s other aparthotel, which opened three years ago, offers a butler service and a Rolls Royce chauffeur to guests staying in its 11 apartments.
Planning officers have placed a restriction on Grainger House development, stating that customers can only stay for a maximum of 90 days a year because it is unsuitable for permanent occupation.
The council added: “It is proposed to restrict the occupancy of the aparthotel units to 90 days. This is on the basis that the units, as proposed, would not be suitable for permanent residential occupation for amenity reasons, for example, from potential external noise adjoining and nearby commercial uses, road traffic noise and the potential for poor air quality.”
Gainford Group also runs the County and Vermont hotels.
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