Plans to rejuvenate unused listed building given the go ahead

Posted: 29 August 2018

On 23 August 2018 Worcester City Council’s Planning Committee gave the go ahead for an exciting mixed-use city centre development of commercial space and apartments targeting millennials.

The development aims to bring the age of ownership back towards levels of the 1960s in which the average age of a first home purchase was 23 years of age. In addition, it brings in new technology and sustainable principles aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

Designed by One Creative Environments Ltd. (One) on behalf of ‘Twenty Three’, a subsidiary of Student Lofts Limited, the plans will regenerate an unused Grade II Listed building and create 38 affordable dwellings in Citation House, Foregate Street, Worcester.

Located centrally and just a few minutes from Foregate Street train station, the refurbished building and new build extension will house studios, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments. The new plans also mean the attractive Georgian frontage will be restored to its former glory and two levels will be added to the rear extension to improve the rear façade and create a five-storey building.

Community style living is key to this exciting design, with shared courtyard/garden space, reception area and a gym.  Space is maximised in each sustainable apartment through innovative design; for instance, the creation of deep internal balconies which allows the living space to feel more open and airy and ultimately spacious.

A highly sustainable development with public transport links as well as each apartment being provided with a dedicated e-bike/bike space ideal for urban life and promoting health and wellbeing to support today’s current lifestyle trend.

A biophilic design philosophy has driven the design of the façade, balconies and internal spaces which centres around the importance of humans’ closeness to nature for health and wellbeing in the urban built environment.  The architectural composition for the additional two levels consists of vertical strips of green living wall and timber fins on the top two levels, softening the scale and mass of the building.  The green living wall is also drawn into the deep balcony spaces providing a view of the natural environment for residents.

Mark Stansfeld, Director of Student Loft Ltd and Twenty Three, said: “I am delighted that the planning decision means that plans can now progress.”

As a multidisciplinary design practice, One has provided all of the necessary services: Architecture, Building Services, Civil & Structural Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Project Management and Interior Design.

Mark Martin, Director of One Creative Environments Ltd. (One) said: “It is great news that plans for this exciting regeneration scheme for a redundant building have now been approved.”

“Biophilic design in residential urban environments is proven to improve the wellbeing of occupants by bringing nature and light into the living space. These apartments will be light and airy and provide attractive, modern city centre living for professionals.”