We are pleased to announce that VL Projects has been appointed as the main building contractor for the redevelopment of the former Peacocks store on Bangor High Street, North Wales. Having consulted with owners Pollecoff House Ltd during the initial design phase, planning permission has now been granted and we are moving swiftly into the construction phase.
Estimated at £2.2m, the project will see the former 3 storey retail store completely redesigned and repurposed to safeguard its future success in the rapidly changing landscape of the High Street. The upper 2 floors are to be converted and extended to house 18 residential units consisting of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, while the commercial unit to the ground floor will be completely refurbished and modernised.
Current plans for the commercial unit are to create flexible co-working spaces supporting start-ups along with an enterprise hub to support business development. Land at the rear of the building is also being developed to create a block of 6 apartments with landscaping, communal amenities and parking facilities.
Our Architectural Design Team have taken what used to be the neglected delivery area at the rear of the building and repurposed it to become the new focal point for the accommodation. By rotating the focus of the upper floors by 180 degrees away from the High Street, they were able to create a much more private access with a large double height entrance hallway with galleried roof, terraces, balconies and garden spaces, all maximising the natural light from the south facing aspect and views up the wooded mountain. There are even views over the marina and the Great Orme from the top floors.
A new central staircase and redesigned shop frontage will link the residential units directly with the High Street allowing the occupants quick access to all the amenities that the High Street has to offer as well as the private communal garden spaces.
The works will see the demolition of the current steel framed and clad storage unit to the rear second floor, along with the removal of the entire slated roof structure of the existing building. A new full width SIPS (Structurally Insulate Panels) extension will be placed on top incorporating new mezzanine floor areas to the top floor front apartments and roof lights to maximise the light in the north facing units.
The new build block of apartments will repurpose the derelict land to the rear and bring a much needed visual improvement to this city centre site with its contemporary design and landscaped surroundings.
With planning permission granted we are now moving onto the further development stage of the project, where our in-house Design Team will be finalising the MEP (Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing) specification to ensure the building is as efficient and environmentally friendly as can be, and our Construction Team can begin stripping the site out and further investigation works into the structural alterations required.
Watch this space for more updates…