UK: Planning permission has been given for a change of use for a charity shop in Lancaster, with serviced apartment plans for two other listed buildings in the pipeline
FAT properties and HPA Chartered Architects hope to develop the vacant lot on New Street into a boutique aparthotel.
The Grade II listed building, which dates back to the 18 century, will be sympathetically developed in keeping with the city’s historic surroundings.
The two storey design-led hotel will offer seven suites and apartments (the current configuration is still being decided) with a reception and a cafe.
Tom Charrier, co founder of FAT Properties, which has traditionally focused on modern student accommodation said: “Over the past year or so we wanted to get back to regeneration projects so we started looking at listed buildings with the idea to focus on serviced apartments.”
FAT Properties also has two other extended stay properties in the pipeline for Lancaster.
Planning permission on the Grade II listed pub Ring O’ Bells, is expected to be approved soon.
The pub will be refurbished late summer and will reopen later in the year. The vacant floors above the pub will be converted into five one-bed serviced apartments with a two bed serviced apartment on the ground floor with access to a garden.
The third project for FAT Properties is in Lancaster’s historic Dalton square which, again, will be a sympathetic development of a listed building. FAT Properties plans for two one-bed serviced apartments at the property.
Charrier added: “There is a gap in the market for high end, contemporary design, Smart technology places to stay and we wanted to create something that felt really special – the serviced apartment market is doing really well as people want to have their own space but still have bustling place on their doorstep.”
FAT Properties’ target market is leisure travellers but all properties are well set up for business travellers. Average stays are expected to be between three and 10 nights.
Earlier this year there was a search for an operator for another new 20-key aparthotel on Lancaster’s Dalton Square
