Office-to-resi conversion for one of Preston’s tallest buildings
The Guild Tower has been bought by Yates Capital, which plans to redevelop the 15-storey Church Row building into 115 apartments.
Located on Church Row in Preston city centre, the vacant 70,000 sq ft office block was put up for sale for £3.5m last year. Lancashire-based Yates Capital, which is also behind the Hy Hotels brand, has acquired it subject to planning.
A planning application to change the use of The Guild Tower from an office to a residential building and convert it to one, two and three-bedroom apartments has been submitted to Preston City Council.
The plans, submitted by PWA Planning on behalf of applicant Yates Capital, would see significant improvements made to the building, including the installation of new cladding.
Resident amenities proposed within the scheme include a gym and an outdoor exercise and relaxation space for residents on the currently unused flat roof of the building’s first and second storeys.
This space would feature a running track, exercise equipment, green landscaping and benches.
A living green wall is planned on the exterior of the first and second floor on two sides of the 1970s building.
“Preston’s city living strategy is really starting to come together with lots of people who want to live and work in the city and take advantage of the vibrant and growing leisure, culture, food and hospitality offering,” said Dan Yates, director of Yates Capital.
“We have done a great amount of work to get this stage, working closely with the regeneration team at the council to design a scheme that is fully aligned with their vision for the city centre.”
The development would be operated under Yates’ Hy Living brand. Credit: via Freshfields
The apartments within the development would be available for rent and would be marketed under Yates’ recently launched Hy Living brand.
“The concept of Hy Living is to provide city living that blends the comfort of home with the luxury of a hotel with features like a 24/7 concierge service, gym and spa facilities,” Yates said.
“The development will be tech-led with features like a resident app, mobile phone door keys and pocket concierge, as well as being pet friendly. It’s one of a number of Hy Living locations we will be bringing forward in the region and we can’t wait to get started.”
The offices on floors two to 15 of the building have been vacant for over a decade. The ground floor is currently occupied by the Level entertainment complex which features a bowling alley, arcade, sports bar, and restaurant.
Level will continue operating from the building and residents will have full access to these facilities.
Dan Hughes, planning director at PWA Planning, said: “These exciting proposals show how this long-vacant building can be brought back into use in a sustainable way and we’re proud to have supported our client in bringing forward this application.
“The apartments will complement the other city centre residential buildings being developed, providing residents with high-quality city living at a time where there is significant and growing demand for these properties in Preston.”
RPS Design Group is the architect for the scheme. Quantity surveying and project management services are being provided by 44 Consult. Edisons has advised on transport planning, while Martin Environmental Solutions has advised on noise, and Alt Fire provided the fire statement.
To learn more about the Lancashire development scene, including what is going on in Preston, you can attend Place North West‘s Lancashire Development Update on 9 February.
- Credit: via Freshfields
- Credit: via Freshfields
- Credit: via Freshfields
That’s quite some feat, they’ve managed to make it look even worse – who would have thought such things were possible?
By Anonymous
Not surprising, a lot of these coming forward now
By DH
Loads happening in Preston city centre.
Good to see this being brought back to life.
Hopefully spruced up on the outside a bit too.
With GCHQ North and the new Nuclear fuel factory deal lots of skilled jobs in the area, hopefully will lead to more investment in the city centre.
By Katie
Preston really upping it’s game – good to see.
By Sceptic