A derelict former metal press factory in the is to be turned into a new Fighting Fit boxing gym and loft apartments under new plans.
Developer Javelin Block, which specialises in converting old buildings, has lodged an application to renovate 6 Derwent Works, in Henrietta Street, into a ground floor gym, four two-bedroom loft-style apartments and four parking spaces.
A three-storey side extension will be built and the rear of Victorian complex will be increased to three storeys.
The gym will be occupied by white collar boxing specialist Fighting Fit, currently based in Cornwall House in Lionel Street, but which is looking to relocate and could be in situ by next spring.
Javelin Block, run by founder Stuart Holt, is behind several projects in the Jewellery Quarter including the conversion of Viceroy House, the creation of Rifle Maker Lofts in Water Street and The Compound, a rentable commercial space used by Ed Sheeran to make an advert for his latest album X.
Mr Holt told the Post he was keen to bring new life to old buildings rather than see them go to waste or be knocked down.
"A lot of these buildings that have been left for years were owned by people for what I call 'hope value', as in they hope the value will go up without actually doing anything to them," he said.
"We try to give them their integrity back and bring them back to life. Somebody has engineered these buildings and they're not going to be built like this nowadays as they're not financially viable but we certainly don't want to see them knocked down.
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"We recycle as much as possible, such as the interiors and fittings, but there was a fire in Derwent Works.
"It had been covered up so we're now in the process of stripping out the fire damage to see what we can use - it's not in the best of order right now."
According to planning documents, 6 Derwent Works was built around the late 19th century and was historically part of the Taylor & Challen Derwent Works which, over time, has become divided and under the ownership of several parties.
As with Rifle Maker Lofts, this latest project has been designed by Jewellery Quarter-based BPN Architects which is also working on the into a college.
Mr Holt said he was keen to use as many local companies and materials as possible and this latest development represented his first foray into gyms.
The plan is to design the new gym in the style of the old American boxing clubs while Birmingham-based fashion company P&Co is going to make uniforms for the Fighting Fit staff.