Luna Hatfield, UK
We gained planning permission to redevelop the landmark 1930s Comet Hotel into a 65-bed hotel with an adjacent 308-bed student accommodation complex for Fusion Students.
The primary consideration in the formulation of the proposals was the setting and significance of the Grade II Listed Comet Hotel. The layout was designed with the retained hotel as its focal point at the front of the prominent site, with the new development to the rear ‘framing’ the listed building.
We focused on restoring historic features, adding a 3-storey extension with a contemporary glazed frontage that reflects and enhances the heritage building’s silhouette, in place of the existing 1990’s block extension.
The student development lies to the rear of the hotel, with a ‘community courtyard’ approach. New high quality student accommodation is provided in self-contained 1 and 2 bed studios with associated communal spaces and facilities within The Comet building including a gym, cinema room, social areas, study areas, and even a karaoke room.
Outdoor amenity is provided within the secure landscaped courtyard areas as part of the site wide landscape strategy to enhance the setting for the Grade II listed hotel and the appearance and perception of the site in general.
The scale of the proposed buildings was informed by a detailed analysis of the site and its context, and influenced by pre-application discussions with planning and heritage officers. Massing was a key consideration due to the proximity of residential neighbours to the rear of the site, the impact of which was reduced by the introduction of separate student ‘houses’ which place the proposals within the scale of adjoining development.
The elevational treatment of the six ‘houses’ was reduced to a more domestic scale to sympathise with the neighbouring properties, and a sensitive pallet of materials was selected to help articulate the main buildings elements whilst also responding to the existing context.
Stride Treglown were appointed as Executive Architects to deliver this Corstorphine & Wright designed project.
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