Spotlight on - Current Projects

Redevelopment of Retail Space, Chester

LK2 Architects are delighted to be working on a brand-new leisure development in the North-West city of Chester.

The hotel development replaces the former Argos Extra retail premises on Foregate Street in the city. Working on behalf of our client, Beyond Retail Property Fund Ltd, LK2 Architects were tasked with increasing the number of guest bedrooms on this tight infill site, planning permission having previously been granted for a 55-bedroom hotel and ground floor café.

Given the historic nature of the city, complex planning restrictions, resulted in, in-depth discussions with several stakeholders, including the local conservation officer, in relation to the adjacent listed buildings. These buildings have inevitably influenced the overall design, responding to the historical fabric, scale and massing of the townscape. This restricted the massing of the proposal to 3.5 storeys at the building/street frontage and 2.5 stories to the rear. The result was an increased capacity from the original successful planning application of 55 bedrooms to a vastly increased capacity of 138 guest bedrooms. The hotel is to be operated by the ARK Hotel Group in association with Bespoke Hotels, a new UK brand of hotel offering leading edge technology, unique F&B concept and co-working partnership.

The scheme also offers additional guest facilities which include a bar and restaurant, together with a guest gymnasium and back of house areas to control the operation of the hotel facilities. All of the additional guest facilities are conveniently located on the ground floor.

LK2 Architects worked closely with the project team and full planning approval was granted in November 2019. We expect that construction will commence 2020 – 2021.