Stranraer puts its best face forward with a hotel transformation
August 3 2023
Collective Architecture has secured planning consent from Dumfries and Galloway Council to transform the former George Hotel, Stranraer, into a community arts space, bunkhouse and bouldering centre.
Incorporating the retained facade of the B-listed local landmark the project forms part of a £19m package of improvements to position the waterfront and town centre as a tourist draw to counter the loss of direct ferry connections to Ireland.
Commenting on the advanced state of decay of the hotel the architects wrote: "The existing spiral staircase has unfortunately been exposed to the elements and is no longer structurally sound with wood rot, making it no longer viable to retain with the proposed brief.
"It is proposed to conserve and make good the existing retained façade and gable end to George Street and re-instate the roof and prominent dormer features via photographic evidence."
Exterior works include the creation of a feature picture window to Church Street while retaining the main entrance and front facade as the public face of creative workspaces. Striving for authenticity lost architectural ironwork will be reinstated per original pattern books. Particular attention is to be paid to a timber central door piece, which will be reconstructed in full but with minor modifications to allow ramped access.
A rebuild of the Church Street elevation meanwhile will permit separate access to rear facilities, employing a contrasting palette of rusty yellow glazed brick and teal render with pend access delineated by an aluclad recess.
Public realm enhancements will round off the package of works, with a widened footpath, planting and signage complementing the architecture.
A courtyard bouldering centre is included in the plans
A modern interpretation of a lost spiral staircase takes pride of place
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2 Comments
There is a great selection of unique shops on offer.
Baxter’s ,Lochs ,Lime Orchid, the lovely Scottish shop across from The George ,Boujai Boutique ,East by West ,
Collectors Cabinet ,The Sports Shop and Barbours to name but a few and huge apologies to all that I have missed out.
Major work has already been done around the town centre and we have great cafes and restaurants.
Agree improvement is needed ,but please don’t rubbish what we already have and we need to acknowledge the community effort that has been evident so far.
Rightly so the DGC are fixing the mess that is The George.
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I do believe Stranraer has long needed a futuristic plan to modernise its town centre from the neglected site it has been allowed to become.
It may even then attract new business instead of the tired ageing shops with a poor selection of tatty goods for sale.