A warehouse that has stood empty for more than 15 years down a Preston side street is due to be converted into upmarket apartments.
AdvertisementThe former yeast warehouse next door to Tiggis in Guildhall Street in the city centre is to be ‘transformed’ by developers.
Etc Urban Developments have tabled £2.5m plans for the Victorian building.
Director of the development firm Neil Thornton said: “Our plan is to restore this building back to its original appearance bringing an historic and important commercial building in Preston from the Victorian era back to full use in the 21st century.
“We believe Preston city centre needs the kind of historic residential development that has helped to transform the centres of other Northern cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield.
“Bringing people back into the centre to live, work and play has helped to revitalise the day and night-time economies of these cities.
Read more: Former Booths offices in Fishergate to become flats
The warehouse was built in the 1890s and originally served as a former carriage manufacture.
Part of the funding for the project comes from the Growing Places Fund, which is administered by the Preston and South Ribble City Deal. They have earmarked £2.1m that may be needed as the renovation work takes place.
The plans for the building, tabled to Preston City Council, show how many of the original warehouse features are planned to be kept.
Mr Thornton said: “The 120-year-old warehouse will be sympathetically restored retaining as many original features as possible for both residents and the community to enjoy.
“We are fortunate the building’s first use as a carriage manufactory was later taken over by the United Yeast Company and used for storage, which helped preserve these features for decades.”
Read more: Glovers Court redevelopment plans given the go ahead
An artist impression shows the scheme also have the new Fishergate-style street layout, but Mr Thornton said whether this would happen is a matter for Lancashire County Council and was not included in his proposals.
The warehouse would have 17 two and one bedroom apartments and studios. These would sit above a space which would have a restaurant or cafe bar, or a new shop.