Heritage campaigners and businesses say they are pleased that a 17th Century townhouse will be brought back into use after being derelict for more than 20 years.
The property situated at 41 Pilcher Gate, in the historic Lace Market area of the city, will now be redeveloped into six luxury student apartments.
Franklin Ellis architects are listed on the planning application submitted to Nottingham City Council – who say they have had a long running involvement with plans for the building.
it has stood empty to be a home for pigeons and rats
Developers originally proposed to demolish the building, but campaigners from the Nottingham Civic Society opposed the plans to save its Jacobean staircase – the first of its kind in the city.
Work now appears to have started on site and Notts TV has contacted the developers for comment.
Hilary Silvester, Chair of Nottingham Civic Society said: “It’s been through all sorts of debate. At one point it was proposed to be demolished and we strongly opposed this.
Gallery: The property on 41 Pilcher Gate through the years.
“The main thing that saved it was its Jacobean staircase – it’s an important building in a historic part of Nottingham.”
She added: “It’s disappointing that it has stood empty, but we are really delighted to see something happen after all this time – although it is perhaps not the best place to put student accommodation in a historic building.”
The house, which was built between 1689 and 1699 for the Sherwin family, has seen transformation over the years, and has served as a warehouse for a merchant, offices and a residential address.
When it was built, Nottingham’s lace trade was booming, but the building soon became vacant when trade began to decline at the end of the 20th century.
The house has a cellar, two upper stories, covers around 8000 sq ft, and during the Victorian era was surrounded by gardens.
Katie Mckeag, Social Media Manager at Debbie Bryan gift shop, which is next door to the building welcomed the plans.
She said: “The building being turned into student accommodation is going to be absolutely brilliant for the Lace Market – it has been empty for about 20 years now.”
“We get loads of questions from customers about it and it’s nice to finally say it will be put to use.”
