UK: Local developer Lugano Group has handed over a completed aparthotel scheme in Newcastle city centre.
The developer carried out a £500,000 refurbishment of the former office building, which is now a six-unit aparthotel.
The property, on the corner of Grainger Street and Bigg Market, is the first of two Apple Apartments schemes in the city, with Lugano planning to carry out a £2 million conversion of a former office block on Newcastle Quayside for the operator.
Richard Robson, chairman of Lugano Developments Ltd, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Apple on their first scheme in Newcastle. Lugano have completed an exceptionally high quality conversion of this iconic building to produce six new contemporary apartments to the highest standards.”
The refurbished building comprises two- and three-bedroom apartments, with views across the city centre.
Robson added: “We’ve designed it all in-house. The original plan was to create residential housing but then we started having discussions with Apple. They had a great product and were very keen to get into Newcastle. We’re also looking to do a second one on the Quayside with them which will also be an office conversion to create 25 apartments. That will cost considerably more to carry out – around £2 million. We’ll not only be converting the building but also extending it. The idea is that once completed, Apple will have a firm foothold in Newcastle, in the heart of the city and on the Quayside. With easy access to all of the city’s leisure, cultural and retail offer the project will make significant contribution to the wider regeneration of this important part of Newcastle.”
www.apple-apartments.com</p
