Transformation of hotel into homes is complete
APROJECT to turn a former Aberdare pub and hotel into flats has been completed. The Boot Hotel in Victoria Square in the town centre has now been converted into 12 social housing flats.
Planning permission was granted in 2016 for housing association Trivallis to turn the upper floors of the Grade II listed building into flats and to use the ground floor for retail.
The Boot was built in around 1900 and has been left derelict for many years but has now been redeveloped and renamed Cwrt yr Esgid.
All 12 of the flats have been let with tenants moving in this week.
It’s one of a number of prominent town centre building projects, including The Exchange and The Black Lion which will also both become flats.
Councillor Steve Bradwick, who represents Aberdare East on Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said: “I am so glad it is looking better than what it looked before.
“I am really pleased it is being used. At the end of the day it needed to be done.”
Trivallis say the Cwrt yr Esgid project was delivered in line with the contract period.
Sarah Kirton, development manager at Trivallis, said: “The mix of one and two-bed apartments have been designed and developed in partnership with the local authority and ensure that we maintain the character of a listed building, while also providing homes for single occupants, couples and families alike.
“Work to the building involved reinstating its traditional features such as hardwood sliding sash windows, doors, cast iron guttering and down pipes, chimney stacks, a natural slate roof and repairs to the masonry.
“We wanted to do our very best to make sure we did a great job of bringing this iconic Aberdare building back to life.
“It has been challenging at times but we have worked with the local authority and the community to ensure that disruption has been kept to a minimum and we are pleased to say that the handover occurred within the contract period.”
Andrew Morgan, leader of RCT Council, said: “I welcome this development, which has been supported by the council and delivered through a substantial investment of £1m from Trivallis.
“The Boot Hotel is a prominent empty building in the town and I am pleased that the scheme has enabled the premises to be brought back into use.
“Shared use developments - which involve a mixture of residential and commercial units – are the way forward in rejuvenating our town centres and accommodating the needs of both residents and businesses.
“I understand that the commercial spaces on the ground floor in the building are now being marketed, and I look forward to welcoming new businesses into Aberdare shortly.”