Z Hotel

Purcell was appointed to obtain planning and listed building consent for the alteration and extension of a vacant B-listed former print works to 104 bedroom hotel. The building was last used as a public house and part of the roof had been damaged by fire leading to an advanced state of rot throughout the building.

The existing building had a deep plan with few windows. New openings were created to the north and south and rooms were arranged around a central atrium. To provide the necessary accommodation a new zinc-clad rooftop extension was added to the rear of the front pitch so as not to alter the street elevation.

The external elevation was subject to masonry repairs and new windows were provided to reduce heat loss and sound transmission. Bedrooms were provided on all floors and a new glazed lift was inserted into the atrium. Remaining original features such as the Pencheck staircase and central atrium were retained and expressed in the design. Existing brick walls with Glasgow-made bricks were exposed at ground floor within the coffee shop and within some rooms.