UK: Plans to convert the upper floors of the former House of Fraser department store in Hull in to apartments have been given the go ahead.
The approval by Hull City Council comes just days after proposals for a new food hall inside the building were revealed for the first time, together with plans to revive its traditional name of Hammonds of Hull.
Space for 20 boutique food stalls plus new outside seating is subject to a separate planning application while the former Caffé Nero concession is expected also expected to re-open.
The upper floor scheme envisages 45 luxury serviced apartments on the landmark building’s second and third floors. They will consist of six studio apartments, five three-bedroom, 29 two-bedroom and five one-bedroom units.
The aparthotel floors will have a shared stair and lift access from the ground floor entrance overlooking Paragon Square.
A design and access statement accompanying the planning application for the scheme says: “It should be noted that the management and operation of the serviced apartments will be no different from other types of aparthotel. The proposals provide a fully serviced offer to a guest that may want to stay a night, a week, or monthly through bookings taken online. Guests would check in as normal to their own dedicated reception and will be looked after in a fully-furnished and serviced manner as per any apartment hotel provision. The serviced apartments will be cleaned and laundered daily or as required by guests. A full housekeeping team will be employed as well as a facilities management team. A fully functional reception is based on the second floor with an associated manager’s office which will be staffed during the day. The reception desk will be manned after hours by a concierge. Substantial on site facilities will be provided to include communal break out areas, cinema room, gym, library and cafe.”
The planning consent also covers proposals for nearly 7,800 square feet of new office space to be created on the building’s fourth floor as well as external changes to the property. The latter will see new external glazing to replace windows currently blacked out and new wall panels applied to the fourth floor.
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