A historic city centre building dating back to the 1830s is set to become the latest to house a new restaurant in the
Apsley House, in Waterloo Street, is home to law firm Sydney Mitchell but the practice has brought forward new plans which could see two thirds of the building converted into restaurant or bar space.
The firm, which celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2013, has lodged a new application to turn the basement, ground and first floors into a restaurant, bar or café.
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Sydney Mitchell owns Apsley House and its 100-strong team will move to other parts of the Grade II-listed building if the redevelopment goes ahead.
Senior partner at the firm Div Singh told the Post: "We have made a speculative application to see what opportunities there are out there."
Apsley House sits in the heart of a burgeoning area for Birmingham's city centre restaurant scene with Waterloo Street in particular enjoying a renaissance in recent years, seeing four new restaurants launches since spring 2014 - Purecraft Bar & Kitchen, Adams, Cosy Club and Viva Brazil which opens next week (see grid below).
This is in addition to Beefeater Bar + Block also in Waterloo Street, while lobster bar next to the junction with
The proposals for Apsley House have been designed by Birmingham-based architecture practice Webb Gray.
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According to planning documents submitted by the firm, Apsley House dates back to 1831 and was constructed during a period when the original fields and orchards in the grounds of Bennetts Hill House were converted into a series of houses, banks and shops.
It said the majority of the original features no longer existed inside Apsley House, having been renovated into modern office accommodation.
The documents added: "The proposed change of use for the building provides the ideal opportunity to redevelop this space.
"It is proposed the unique character of the building is used as an asset that will work in conjunction with the change of use to improve and enhance the economic viability of Apsley House whilst aiding its integration into a developing restaurant quarter.
"It is hoped the change to a more public functionality will allow for further exposure and enhance the prominence of the historic qualities of Apsley House and the rest of Waterloo Street."