Century Buildings

The Century Buildings are a fascinating collection of Grade 2 Listed buildings with a history of development and growth representative of the locations change from a residential Georgian suburb to an area of great industrial redevelopment for the production of jewellery synonymous with its Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area location.

Since commercial operations ceased the buildings have become dilapidated, exacerbated by illegal use, vandalism and theft. The buildings are in a poor condition and need a new sustainable use to safeguard them for the future.

Previous owners have made various planning applications for the buildings change of use including residential apartments in 2003 and 2004, which were approved, but not progressed on viability grounds. An application for student residential accommodation was made in 2011, but withdrawn.

The current owner and applicant, worked with a previous Architect for development of a Hotel proposal, which was submitted for Full Planning and Listed Building Consent in 2019, but the applications were withdrawn and a Pre-App submission made.

The applicant thereafter ceased his relationship with his former Architect and appointed D5 Architects to develop proposals for a new Full Planning Application and Listed Building Consent. The new proposal includes renovation of the remaining buildings and their conversion for residential use in buildings facing Summer Hill Road and apart-hotel use in buildings facing Powell Street. Renovation and conversion of the listed buildings will be accompanied by the construction of a connected new building for residential use on the neighbouring site on Summer Hill Road.

The proposed development is composed of 26 residential dwellings and a 12 room apart hotel.

STATUS: Full Planning & Listed Building Consent Applications awaiting determination.