New 162-bedroom hotel with rooftop restaurant planned for Chester city centre

Plans have been lodged for the massive new hotel, which would be on 1-13 Frodsham Street, and would include a restaurant with a roof-top balcony overlooking Chester Cathedral.

The proposal was submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council by investment manager Cervidae and development manager AXIS-RE last week.

An artist's impression of what the new Chester city centre hotel on Frodsham Street would look like. Source: Donald Insall Associates.

If approved, the hotel will create over 130 new full- and part-time jobs.

The hotel plans have been created by the Chester office of award-winning architecture practice Donald Insall Associates, which specialises in working on historically sensitive sites.

Designed to complement neighbouring architecture, the hotel will provide 162 bedrooms over four floors and include 7,500 sq ft of ground floor retail.

The current look of Frodsham Street, Chester.

The style and finish will be targeted at the growing ‘lifestyle’ sector, incorporating the best elements of boutique hotel design alongside the greater affordability and accessibility offered by major operators.

The rooftop restaurant, expected to be run in-house by the hotel operator, is anticipated to become a destination in its own right.

Nick Mullins, director at AXIS-RE, said: “Chester is perennially popular with visitors, but the number of hotel beds has often fallen short of what is required to meet demand, particularly for those seeking a boutique, lifestyle experience.

"The proposed project would be a real asset to Chester, and as the way people use the city shifts away from retail and towards leisure time, the hotel and its rooftop restaurant would play a vital role in helping residents and visitors alike make the most of their time here.”

Tony Barton, chairman at Donald Insall Associates, added: “Historic locations such as central Chester demand architecture that complements the existing buildings while reflecting changing needs and incorporating the best of modern design. This approach underpins the plans for the hotel, and if approved it will rejuvenate a corner of Chester that holds great potential beyond its current use.”

Cervidae is an international real estate investment and development company, with assets including city centre projects in London, New York, Paris, Birmingham and Dublin.

AXIS-RE is an independent Manchester-based development, investment and asset management firm, with a track record of schemes across the North West, including a 135,000 sq ft office development in Deansgate, Manchester, and involvement in the 220,000 sq ft Rochdale Riverside phase 1 development.