Background
Planning permission has been granted to Cambridge land developer, Wrenbridge, for the development of the former Barclays Bank listed building in Bene’t Street, to produce a mixed-use building. It has been bought by King’s College.
Cambridge architects Freeland Rees Roberts, who are part of the Wrenbridge team developing the old Barclays Bank building in Bene’t Street, have been appointed by King’s College to work with them to further improve the residential floors of the scheme, which the College will occupy on completion.
The decision by King’s College to purchase the freehold of the whole building was taken some time ago, and now that Planning & Listed Building permissions have been granted, the scheme and the purchase can proceed without delay.
The plans permit 31 en-suite undergraduate and graduate rooms, including two apartments, to be created above the ground-floor restaurant premises already taken by Zizzi’s and CAU, the Argentinian steak-house chain. Freeland Rees Roberts, who are experienced at working within listed buildings will be working with the Contractors and Kings College, to create the interior and roof extensions according to the College’s requirements.
Keith Carne, the Bursar at King’s and responsible to the College for the project, comments: ‘This is an exciting scheme that will allow us to create attractive student rooms in the centre of Cambridge as well as two restaurants to broaden the range of food available in the City centre. The College is grateful to both the developers, Wrenbridge, and the architects, Freeland Rees Roberts, for this opportunity.’
Meticulous attention is being paid to all aspects of the proposed accommodation by the College and the architects. Tests for noise levels, for example, have already been undertaken: a wise first step to ensure that students can work in quiet surroundings while living and studying in the centre of Cambridge.
Graham Riley of Freeland Rees Roberts, the lead architect on the project, worked with developer Wrenbridge from the outset to develop a scheme for the College and the restaurants, and now is very pleased to be continuing in turn with King’s College. He is looking towards a completion date of student rooms in Spring 2013, with the restaurants opening in 2012.
*******
Press enquiries contact Margaret Phillips 01223 846955 or hmp@phillipsprofile.co.uk
_________________________________________