Tall & Urban News

One of the most significant projects in the city center in recent years was granted planning permission on 19 August, 2020.

The 14-story, £120 million (US$158 million) project aims to restore the Guildhall to its former glory, as well as build a large new block behind it. 

The development will also feature two new bars/restaurants, a spa, a gym, conference facilities and a glass connection to link the tower with the historic Guildhall building.

A fine-dining rooftop restaurant, set to offer panoramic views over the city, is also included in the designs, which will see a total of 159 hotel rooms.

Described as a ‘landmark project," it will transform the underdeveloped Grade II Guildhall site, and include the demolition of dilapidated modern office buildings behind the historic building.

Existing courtrooms in the building will be turned into bar and restaurant facilities, retaining original listed features.

The Guildhall building itself will house the main entrance to the hotel, while the extensions at the back of the building would be knocked down.

Unusually, developers were asked to come up with a strategy to mitigate against the loss of feeding location for a nest of peregrine falcons—the fastest species on earth—which is nearby.

The Guildhall, which was built in 1887, once housed a magistrates' court and a fire and police station.

Nottingham City council staff also occupied some of the building from 1996 until 2010, before moving to Loxley House.

Councillors on Nottingham City Council's Planning Committee approved the designs unanimously at a meeting on 19 August, 2020.

Speaking at the committee, councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, who represents the Lenton and Wollaton West ward for Labour, said: "I was trying to think of a word that would describe my feelings about this and I think that word is 'excited.

“I’m really excited to see a building of historical value and with classical architecture being brought back to life, it’s something we should all welcome, it’s something we should definitely celebrate.

“I’m happy about the firehouse building next to it being preserved.

“I think there were obviously some concerns being raised about the tower, but from my perspective I think the design of the tower is quite elegant.

“It’s a very nice, very beautiful design.

"For me it’s not a problem of height, because there is the E-On building as well on North Sherwood Street so there is an element of continuity with that.

“It is taller of course (than the E-On building), and it is prominent and it does affect the views of the Guildhall, but at the same time I think it’s not necessarily a problem, because if you have a structure there that in design terms makes sense, and is elegant, then I think it adds to the overall value of the development.

“So I’m very much a supporter of this development.”

A planning statement put together by Nottingham City Council describes the application in more detail: “The conversion and restoration of the existing Grade II Listed Guildhall building would create a total of 39 guest bedrooms, a restored grand reception space, a restaurant and bar in former Courtrooms One and Two, a spa and gymnasium at basement level and additional function space. 

A rooftop restaurant is part of the approved plans.

“The proposed new five-story northern extension to the Guildhall would create a further 20 guest bedrooms, a new lift and circulation core, a hotel kitchen and ancillary space and a lightweight glazed link to the proposed new tower building.

The proposed new 14-story tower building would create a total of 101 guest bedrooms, a rooftop restaurant, bar and terrace, a hotel sub reception and kitchen, staff and ancillary space and a landscaped courtyard area for service and access.

“The conversion and restoration of the existing Grade II listed Fire Station House would create an informal bar and restaurant space, lightweight glazed link to the new tower building and a landscaped courtyard space to the rear.”

For more on this story, go to Nottingham Post.