New plans have been drawn up to turn a derelict city centre hotel into a vast new student complex.
The International Hotel, in Wimbledon Street, Leicester, has been empty for more than a decade, falling into disrepair and in the past attracting rough sleepers.
Based in the city’s cultural quarter, which includes theatres, restaurants, clubs and bars, it was boarded up in 2018 after Leicester City Council, supported by Leicestershire Police, secured a court order following complaints of vandalism and other anti-social behaviour.
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Earlier this year work started redeveloping the site and now a new planning application has been submitted to Leicester City council to convert it into a huge student flats complex.
The developers want to create space for 475 students in 425 studio flats and 10 five bed flats.
Plans for the building also include a gym, a cafe and a “creative work space” or office, as well as ‘associated landscaping’ and the creation of a loading bay into Humberstone Gate.
The plans could also see the creation of 10 news jobs – five full-time and five part-time – on top of construction jobs while work is in progress.
There could be 34 car parking spaces, as well as two disabled spaces and 250 cycle spaces.
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Earlier this year the building, owned by Land Invest Ltd, was encased in scaffolding and notices went up announcing plans to convert it into a block of student flats.
The project is being led by student accommodation provider True Student Ltd which has other similar developments in other British cities such as Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle and Salford.
In March, a spokeswoman for parent company Bricks Capital said: “True Leicester will be one of the company’s biggest developments to date, bringing around 470 fantastic new student bedrooms, serving the city’s two universities.
“True Student has already commenced work on the historic but derelict site, formerly the grand headquarters of shoe manufacturer, Freeman Hardy & Willis, and subject to significant damage during Second World War bombing raids before post-war reconstruction.
“Contractors RG Group have been appointed to the project, which is due for completion in time for the start of the 2021 academic year and, as is typical with all True Student sites, the all-inclusive accommodation will be fitted out to an exceptional specification – providing amenities such as the fabulous festival zone, private cinema and state-of-the-art gym, complete with personal training.”
Ben Morley, managing director of True Student Ltd, believes the redevelopment will bring vibrancy to the area and provide “high-end” student accommodation for students from both De Montfort University and the University of Leicester.
“We’re very excited to be bringing our award-winning offer to Leicester,” he said. “Our new scheme is located in the heart of the city and will live up to the industry-leading standards we’ve established.”
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He said the project will be “partnering closely with the local community and businesses” while providing an “unparalleled student experience”.
He said: “Each week, we offer a range of activities, such as photography workshops, power brunches, nutritional support, day trips, and team challenges.”
A £40 million scheme to replace the former hotel with 428 flats, including a 21-storey tower, was refused by city councillors back in 2017 after the planning committee heard some of the proposed homes would have been smaller than the cages required by law to house wombats.