Preston city centre living boost as luxury apartment plans submitted

London-based planning agent 1618 Architects has submitted plans to build the complex, which will include 69 trendy apartments and two ground floor retail units, on the site of a derelict former carpet warehouse on Church Row, off Church Street.

It is hoped the development could provide a much-needed boost to an area of the city requiring investment.

A spokesman for the applicant said: “Church Row Apartments is an exciting new development which is located in the City Centre of Preston.

“It is a striking contemporary mixed use scheme containing 69 apartments and two retail units.

“The stylishly designed living spaces will feature luxury finishes, full size kitchens and sleek contemporary bathrooms. Large windows allow abundant natural light to flood the living areas.

“Situated just 160 metres from Preston Bus Station, The Church Row Apartments is the ideal location for those who wish to live, work and enjoy in the heart of one of the UK’s most vibrant cities.”

The proposed development comes hot on the heels of Preston City Council’s City Living scheme, launched in April to create a Northern Quarter-style housing boom in the city centre.

Director of Planning for Preston City Council, Chris Hayward, said: “It is great to see such a positive response to the City Living strategy that has already resulted in a number of schemes being implemented. We look forward to continuing to work alongside developers in making a real success for Preston.”

Leader of Preston City Council, Coun Peter Rankin, said: “It’s an exciting time for Preston. Significant investment, both private and public, is being poured into cornerstones of the city, such as Preston Markets, the Guild Hall and the former Post Office Building. And events like the recent Brief Encounter make the city living offer even more appealing.”

The Church Row Apartments development is made up of 18 one bed-one person apartments, 18 one bed-two person apartments, and 33 two bed-three person apartments.

Planning documents state that no off-street parking will come with the proposed development, instead highlighting the surrounding car parks in the area, such as Market Hall and Hill Street.

It follows a application, also by 1618 Architects, in July to create a four-storey apartment complex on Market Street, compromising of 19 apartments, two retail units and one commercial unit.

A spokesman said: “Market Street development is set to deliver a new level of Preston inner city living combining new contemporary apartments behind a restored façade from Preston’s rich architectural heritage.

“This exciting new collection of luxury apartments is located in the historic Market Place Conservation Area and overlooks the open market hall, a landmark in the heart of the Preston City Centre. Restored ground floor commercial space will add to the street level activity.

“The building comprises of 19 striking contemporary designed apartments, two retail units and one commercial unit; and it benefits from being close to local amenities and many of Preston’s bars and restaurants.”

The two complexes follow former Lancashire County Council buildings Guild House and Winckley House receiving multimillion pound funding for a refurbishment. All 46 apartments planned for Guild House and 34 of the 76 being created in Winckley House had been snapped up when The Post reported on the project last month.