Aparthotel plans revealed for landmark Leeds building

Plans have been revealed for the creation of a new aparthotel and commercial units opposite Leeds Town Hall through the conversion of a grade II-listed hotel and construction of a new six-storey building.Pre-application plans from developer Khalbros are set to be presented at a meeting of Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel next week (9 May 2019).The proposal covers the development of an aparthotel with a bar and other commercial uses at 19-20 East Parade and 161-167 The Headrow.The existing buildings at 19-20 East Parade would be demolished to make way for a new six-storey building, while the adjacent grade II-listed former Jubilee Hotel would be converted.The former Jubilee Hotel was constructed in 1904 by Thomas Winn & Sons and was previously acquired for £1.9m in October 2017.The new aparthotel would feature 38 bedrooms with ground floor reception, as well as a new bar at ground floor level of the former Jubilee Hotel, echoing its historical use as a gin palace.Other ground floor commercial units, a gym, courtyard, cycle store and bin stores would also be provided at ground level.Members of the City Plans Panel will be asked to give their views on the proposed uses, the level of demolition and the emerging scale, massing and design of the new development.A planning officers report prepared for the meeting has highlighted potential benefits of the scheme, including the preservation of the former hotel, job creation and encouraging more activity in this area of the city centre.