A building in Newcastle’s Old Eldon Square is set to be converted into an aparthotel with a new café and restaurant after developers’ plans were approved.
Two applications were placed before city planners, proposing the transformation of One Eldon Square, a Grade II star listed corner plot in Newcastle city centre which has been empty since beauty salon House of Savannah moved out a number of years ago. The move will see 1 Old Eldon Square redeveloped by Darras Hall-based Belgravia Investment Group Ltd into 13 serviced aparthotels, spread across the first, second and third floors.
The firm says the aparthotel scheme will have little to no impact on the historic fabric of the building and will secure the long-term future of the historic building. A new cafe/restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking Old Eldon Square is included in the plans for the property, which was originally designed in the early 19th century by architects Thomas Oliver and John Dobson for builder Richard Grainger, when they were just embarking on their architectural careers.
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The building forms part of a row overlooking the square that became the blueprint of design for the redevelopment of Newcastle city centre in the 1830s. Original historic features are being retained, including fireplaces and cornices, and some fixtures and fittings will be refashioned, retained or preserved as part of the overall redevelopment.
Sean Hedley, managing director of North East planning specialist, who secured planning approval from Newcastle City Council’s planning committee, said the majority of guests during the working week will be business travellers with visitors to Newcastle likely to stay longer.
He added: “This is an exciting regeneration investment that will bring an important historic location back to life. The serviced rooms and studios will deliver a much-needed style of flexible visitor accommodation. In Newcastle city centre a demand exists for alternative visitor accommodation to a non-distinct hotel room.
“As planners, we want to see the creation and successful delivery of heritage projects that leave a long-lasting legacy. In achieving this, we are able to make a valuable contribution to clients’ plans and design ambitions, reducing the likelihood of objections on heritage grounds and in doing so, helping to transform our listed buildings and historic properties for generations to come.”
Meanwhile, Hedley Planning Services has also secured planning approval on behalf of the Vaulkhard Group to transform the 1980s-built Pacific House on Northumberland Road. The proposals include 50 student bedrooms to be created in the mixed-use scheme. The lower ground floor, which is currently used for storage space, will be transformed into Cool Pool Bar while the ground floor will be turned into a commercial space.
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