Nightingale Quarter challenges city hotels with short-stay flats
A NEW short-term rental operation in Derby’s Nightingale Quarter development has been launched.
Named “Covo”, the £10 million project will provide visitors to the city an alternative to mainstream hotel offerings.
Based within Hardwick House, a six-storey apartment building that looks out on to London Road, there will be 52 apartments available as short-term rentals. Bookings are being taken for stays of two nights or longer via a dedicated online portal.
The 42 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments have been fully furnished and styled by an interior designer.
Developer Wavensmere Homes has appointed national short lets property management specialist My Property Host to operate the new facility, which will be manned seven days a week by a property manager and head housekeeper.
Stays at Covo will be subject to a demand-led dynamic pricing structure, starting from £75 per night for one-bedroom apartments and £90 per night for twobedroom properties. Parking is available at an additional charge.
Guests will have access to the residents’ gymnasium, co-working facility, and can also make the most of the community garden and running track around the circumference of the 18.5-acre development. A breakfast menu is served at The Pepperpot restaurant – which occupies the building next door but one to Covo.
James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “Having been constructing the 925 homes at Nightingale Quarter for the past five years, we are aware of the for number of hotels across Derby city centre that have been closed, redeveloped, or re-purposed. Meanwhile, with the expansion of major employers such as Rolls Royce and Toyota, the demand accommodation here has
never been higher.
“Working with My Property Host, we’ve conducted data analysis, which has confirmed the strong appetite for a quality alternative to a hotel, especially for corporate bookings.
“Our significant investment in Covo to create this 52-apartment short-term rental operation is positioned to disrupt the market in Derby and give a boost to the city’s tourism industry.
“For every night spent staying away from home, people spend on average a further £47 on food, drink, retail, and entertainment. We are looking forward to welcoming the first guests and establishing relationships with major employers and corporate stay booking agencies.”
The flagship development has brought about the restoration and redevelopment of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, including the two iconic pepper pot buildings.
Florence Nightingale lived in the city for three years and was instrumental in designing the hospital, which received the Royal Stamp of Approval when it was opened by Queen Victoria in 1894.
Mr Dickens said: “Ninety-five per cent of the 925 houses and apartments at Nightingale Quarter have now been matched with buyers, with the final phases currently under construction. The addition of Covo will be a benefit to the residents living here, as friends and family will now be able to stay onsite.”
We are aware of the number of hotels across Derby city centre that have been closed, redeveloped, or re-purposed. James Dickens