Carlisle seeks developer for long-vacant Central Plaza site
Located opposite the University of Cumbria’s proposed £77m Citadels campus, the site could house a replacement hotel, offices, or residential.
Carlisle City Council is seeking redevelopment proposals for the former Central Plaza Hotel site, which is before Tuesday 31 January 2023.
The former hotel was demolished in 2020 and had been vacant since 2004. The site is now effectively ownerless and is subject to escheat to be dealt with by The Crown Estate, according to marketing materials prepared by CBRE.
Jon Matthews Architects has drawn up four different indicative massing studies for how the site could be redeveloped.
- A 175-bedroom student housing scheme
- A 100-bedroom hotel
- A 40,000 sq ft office scheme
- A 50-apartment residential scheme.
Carlisle City Council has secured £9.1m from the government’s Future High Street Fund, some of which is earmarked to help facilitate the redevelopment of the site.
Around 3,000 students will be based at the University of Cumbria’s new Citadels Campus, immediately opposite this site with completion expected in 2026.
“With £70m secured for redevelopment for the Citadels and train station, there’s a great opportunity for a developer to bring forward a new economic use for the site and be part of the regeneration of this part of the city centre,” said Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr John Mallinson.
“We want to secure an investor for the site and are working with CBRE to make this happen.”
It should be rebuilt as close to the original building as possible. It was a terrible day for Carlisle when such a building was pulled down.
By Heritage Action
What about all the currently empty buildings in Carlisle city centre? Debenhams, Bulloughs, and all the shops on Lowther Street. Why build new premises when existing premises are standing empty and have been for years?
By Isaac Tullie
I don’t have a problem with a lost building being rebuilt to an approximation of the same design.
I also agree with the posting about the many existing empty premises.
Perhaps Carlisle City Council – or especially the forthcoming Cumberland Council – could devise a strategy here. A shop fronts programme and a repurposing of buildings one too. The Citadels scheme is a great start. Carlisle could really build on its heritage potential. It also has the former Turkish baths – a gem which needs a new use.
By SW