How the revamped Westlegate House could look.
PHOTO GALLERY AND VIDEO: Revamp plans for Norwich’s Westlegate House revealed
by DAN GRIMMER
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
6:30 AM
The first images of how a city centre tower, long considered one of Norwich’s biggest eyesores, could be transformed under ambitious redevelopment plans are today revealed.
Planning permission has been lodged with Norwich City Council to breathe new life into Westlegate House, which has been vacant and semi-derelict for more than 14 years. The plans, lodged by Norwich-based FW Properties and London-based Soho Estates, which bought the tower and surrounding properties last summer, would see the former office building, turned into apartments.
Two extra floors would be created at the top of the 11-storey building, in Westlegate, while each floor would contain a single apartment, with 360 degree views of Norwich, taking in the castle, the cathedral and City Hall.
The developers behind the schemes said the designs for the building, which dates back to the 1960s, offered a “scheme of real quality”, with the existing building encased in glass and panels.
That, they said would create a tower of “real elegance” which would be a “positive landmark on the city’s skyline”.
The ground and first floors of Westlegate House, most recently used by McDonald’s before it moved to the Haymarket, will also be refurbished and developers hope to attract a large restaurant or shop to become the tenants.
The plans also include a restoration and extension at the next door Grade II listed cottage, currently used by cafe Cassacio’s.
The 1960s addition at the back of that building will be replaced by an extension, while better links will be created between Westlegate to Lion and Castle Yard and Timberhill.
The surface car park fronting on to Timberhill will also be developed to provide a large shop unit and residential apartments above.
Ian Fox, FW Properties director, said: “Since we purchased the building last year in partnership with Soho Estates, we have been working hard to bring forward a scheme for this building that will deliver a real difference to this part of Norwich.
“We recognise the importance of retaining and reusing existing buildings and preserving their history, whist making major improvements to the city’s built environment.”
Fellow FW Properties director Julian Wells added: “We have worked closely with our design team in evolving these plans, including the architects at 5th Studio, and through our various consultations with the council planners and key stakeholders, we believe that we have created a scheme of real quality which we hope the city will embrace.”
Philip Thompson, director of Soho Estates, said: “We look forward with eager anticipation to the creation of a series of buildings which will hopefully be viewed for many years as fine examples of modern day architecture against a backdrop of difficult economic times.”
Norwich City Council has long been promoting the redevelopment of the area. The council’s long-term hope is to pedestrianise Westlegate, but, in the meantime, the authority is seeking government money for a scheme which would see traffic made to turn right at the bottom of the street.
The revamp scheme was welcomed by Alan Day, general manager of Castle Mall, who said: “We are absolutely delighted with the plans. “I can’t wait for this iconic building to be developed and to bring a new lease of life to this part of the city, with the new pedestrian links in particular making a real difference.”
The application to transform Westlegate House is likely to be discussed by Norwich City Council’s planning committee at a future meeting.
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17 comments
Looking forward to the pedestrinisation of Westlegate. The towers look has not changed very much, it will be more towering now by adding two stories. As Daisy roots mentioned, a lick of paint will probably make for the biggest change, which after a few years will look grotty again. Can we have the pedestrian path on the Ber street side of Bonds made wider and a shelter added, because that windy space is our second bus station in Norwich and the space is sufficient. The bus shelter on the other side is hardly used as not many buses stop there.
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ingo wagenknecht
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Really positive to see such an investment in the city. The existing walkway between Westlegate and Timberhill is not the nicest of cut-throughs so looking forward to that being opened up and made into a safe and welcoming area.
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emmachar
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
So where is Casaccio's going to go? They have been there fourteen years...are the developers going to help them find somewhere else? My father and I and his friends have been going there for years... I don't know of a more friendly cafe with terrific customer service... they even give you a card at Xmas ... !
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lr
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Interesting, but I don't feel like much attention has been paid to the lift shaft staircase. In the renders it simply looks like the photo of the existing building has been made greyscale- not sure I like the monolithic column of grey!
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Paul Reed
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Well its about time something is done with this building, its gonna cost more knocking it down and starting again so what they have planned is great. The building on Timberhill are also great looking Modern and fresh is what the city needs
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Martin P
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
It doesn't look much different to me, the bit at the bottom doesn't look great either, not particularly modern-looking. Knock it down and start again.
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Lambo is god
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I think its excellent that another ugly derelict building, has plans to enhance and be redeveloped but i am sceptical as to whether and how long it will take for this to proceed. I also think the council should be more proactive in getting previous plans moving, such as the dukes wharf and the Anglia square revamp. Both of which have plans but for various reasons have not or are slow to progress. Using these brown field sites is by far a better option for housing than building on green belts!
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James
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I think its excellent that another ugly derelict building, has plans to enhance and be redeveloped but i am sceptical as to whether and how long it will take for this to proceed. I also think the council should be more proactive in getting previous plans moving, such as the dukes wharf and the Anglia square revamp. Both of which have plans but for various reasons have not or are slow to progress. Using these brown field sites is by far a better option for housing than building on green belts!
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James
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Yes the original detailing is good and needs preserving. I think the lower levels need to have more limestone look-not harsh grey The only grey in Norwich is the flint, and granite or other grey surfaces are not the same Elsewhere the predominant tone is limestone or lime mortar in the churches, red brick and colour wash. I hope they manage to restore a decent streetscape even to service areas. The great scandal of all the recent developments, both malls and elsewhere is the terrible eyesores of the service areas where formerly there had been people scale streets and alleys and even some very nice old buildings.
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Daisy Roots
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
At last a good proposal for Westlegate Tower - an excellent example of twentieth-century post-war commercial architecture. With one apartment per floor this will be a superb place to live and highly-sought after - especially at the upper levels. Bringing residents back into the city centre has to be the right decision now that so much commercial and retail development has been moved out to the business parks and shed cities. I just hope the original dertailing of the Tower's facade will be cleaned up and remain visible despite the building being "encased in glass and panels".
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JCW
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Having said that the designs for the low level buildings surrounding the tower are appalling. Tower looks great, the proposed streetscape on Timberhill borders on the criminal!
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I ronnie
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
That sounds good. 360 degree view of the finest city in the land should attract a pretty price
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I ronnie
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Lets hope that they can make a better job of it than the bus stop outside John Lewis. It is basically still in the same disgusting condition it was in when it was first installed, cement on the chrome supports, broken and non-level stones, etc, and this was totally in keeping, and exceptable, by Norwich City Council. It's no wonder this city is looking so dirty and untidy, and 'they' think this is how to attract people. This council hasn't a clue.
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COLD
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
It all sounds very interesting. I guess the next issue will be the Mecca bingo hall, which will probably stand empty and crumbling for the next 20 years. Regards, Whiley.
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Whiley Boy
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Let's hope the city council also Pedestrianise Westlegate and make it fit to walk along.
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John L Norton
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Fantastic news, here's hoping it doesn't turn into another Anglia Square job.... ie one that will be talked about for decades and never happen!
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IT Man
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Can't they just knock the thing down?
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Disgusted of Norwich South
Tuesday, February 14, 2012