Plans submitted for Preston offices
Preston developer Stuart Whittle has submitted a planning application for a 25,000 sq ft office development in the city centre designed by young architecture practice Etc Urban.
Whittle, whose Downtown Living consortium built The Room apartments in Lawson Street in Preston, is heading another investment consortium for the office scheme in Glovers Court.
The £3m development will transform the Lambert Brothers Court Press and adjacent car park into six office buildings up to four storeys with roof terraces and on-site parking aimed at owner-occupiers.
Etc Urban was established in 2010 by Ben Casey, creative director of Preston-based design agency The Chase, and architects David Robinson and Martin Whittle, managing partners at Frank Whittle Partnership in Preston. The three worked together on the redevelopment of Preston North End FC's ground at Deepdale.
Philip Thornton, architectural director of Etc Urban, said: "The concept behind our design is based on a reinterpretation of the traditional Georgian terrace around Preston's historic and beautiful Winckley Square area, which is a true architectural gem.
"The plan will create spacious office units with lots of daylight and will save the former Lambert Brothers print building, which really is a fine example of the Lancashire city's past commercial heritage."
Thornton added: "There is a distinct lack of high quality, small to medium office premises for owner occupied businesses in this part of the city. Our aim is to meet that need.
"We also feel our plan fits perfectly with Preston's vision to promote positive development along the lines that have worked so well in other towns and cities, such as The Lanes in Brighton."
