UK: Real estate developer Heaton Group has submitted plans to Preston City Council to transform the Park Hotel into a 65-bedroom aparthotel.
The site, which was originally Preston’s Park Hotel, has been in use by county council offices since the 1960s. In 2020, plans to redevelop the hotel involved the demolition of the office block, however no further construction took place.
Now, plans submitted by Heaton Group call for a 65-bedroom aparthotel housed in the former hotel, with 2,300 square feet of coworking space, a 1,600 square-foot gym, and a 3,000 square-foot restaurant on the ground floor.
The planning application read: “With the building suffering from rapid deterioration, vandalism, water ingress and general wear and tear, it’s important to act now to preserve its unique heritage for future generations. Respecting and enhancing the historic nature of the existing Listed Building is a key priority.
“This will involve careful attention to detail, using high-quality materials and techniques that are sympathetic to the building’s original design. The aim is to retain as much of the original character and charm as possible, whilst also bringing it up to modern standards of comfort and sustainability.”
Proposals also include two new apartment blocks built around the site. This includes an eight- to 10-storey building which would contain 236 homes, whilst an adjacent nine-storey building would house 118 apartments.
Also included in the plans is a conversion of the Grade II-listed townhouse at 8 East Cliff into six apartments.
Paul Butler Associates is the project’s planning consultant alongside landscape architect DEP Landscape Architecture, transport consultant SK Transport, and noise consultant RED Acoustics. DAY Architects have led the design.
