Fenwick developers reveal when ‘luxury’ short-stay flats in old building will open

Planning permission granted to transform former department store into 111 serviced flats and rooftop barThe first short-stay apartments in Leicester’s former Fenwick building could be ready for occupation within a year, developers have revealed.Planning permission has been granted for the updated plans to transform the former department store into 111 “luxury” serviced flats, together with a rooftop bar.Developer Aimrok Holdings is working with Leicester architects rg+p to transform the building, which has been empty since the department store closed its doors for the final time two years ago.There will also be a ground floor bar, gym, conference rooms, start-up office space and a number of commercial units.The rooftop bar will be in a single-storey extension, and will be open to tenants of the apartments as well as the general public.There will also be a roof terrace and semi-enclosed courtyard.Leicester City Council previously granted planning permission for the building to be turned into a 92-room hotel, along with shops or restaurants, a gym and a rooftop bar.The building was later put on the market with a price tag of £4 million after an investor was said to have pulled out.Last autumn it was revealed the owners were going back to a revised version of the original plans.