The Gresham opens its doors in Leicester listed building

UK: The Gresham, an aparthotel in a grade II former department store building, has opened for business.

The £17 million, two-year project by developer Aimrok Holdings, has seen the 1880s listed Victorian building transformed from a Fenwicks department store into a 121-room aparthotel, containing serviced apartments with kitchen and en-suite facilities; a fitness suite; and laundry room for guests.

The development also includes Black Iron Social – a contemporary restaurant and bar that will serve aparthotel guests as well as being open to the public.

Completing the development are four commercial retail units and Gresham Works – 12,000 square feet of conference facilities and coworking spaces, that have been leased to Leicester City Council on a 25-year agreement.

Mark Copson, director of Aimrok Holdings and The Gresham, said: “After such a challenging couple of years thwarted by the pandemic, we are very excited to be welcoming our first guests from Monday. The Gresham a stunning building and has been restored with a great deal of care and attention to detail both inside and out and we feel confident that our visitors will be delighted with their stay experiences. With its prime position in the heart of the City Centre, The Gresham already seems to be having a positive impact on the area and we intend for it to become, and remain an active part of the local community for many years to come.”

Leicester City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Having had the chance to look around The Gresham, I can confirm this is very exciting news. The very stylish aparthotel will be another major draw for visitors to our city, and people wishing to work here will find the new workspace there very appealing, and just right for the post-covid economy. The restoration of this flagship building perfectly complements the other regeneration work taking place in this part of the city, and will provide a massive boost for the Market Street area and for Leicester.”

The Gresham, which has been part-funded by an £8.2 million loan from Maslow Capital and a £4 million Growing Places Fund (GPF) loan through the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) has been hailed as a catalyst for regeneration in the local vicinity. Since the redevelopment began, new shops, bars and restaurants have started to open in Market Street and beyond.

Kevin Harris, chair of the LLEP board of directors at the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), said: “The LLEP provided a Growing Places Fund loan of £4 million to support the redevelopment of the former Fenwick’s department store. The loan helped to kick-start this important project, that will have a significant impact on employment and provide much needed managed workspace for businesses. I am delighted to see the completion of The Gresham redevelopment and also that this iconic building has such a promising future.”