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Back to the drawing board for Bricks Hotels after rejection of controversial proposals to demolish the Ironworks music venue in Highland capital and build seven-storey hotel on site


By Val Sweeney

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Previous proposals for the hotel were rejected by councillors in December.
Previous proposals for the hotel were rejected by councillors in December.

A new team has been drafted in to help with designs for a £25 million hotel in the Highland capital after previous plans were rejected.

Controversial proposals to demolish the Ironworks music venue in Academy Street and build a seven-storey 162-bedroom hotel on the site were rejected in December following concerns about its potential impact on the surrounding riverside conservation area.

Bricks Hotels has now appointed CRPG Architects in Inverness in the hope of lodging a fresh application for the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel by this summer.

The firm was involved in the design of the new Eilean Dubh Care home recently opened on the Black Isle.

Invernessian Allan Davidson, the chief operating officer of Bricks Hotels, said: “We are placing a new emphasis on giving the building a degree of civic presence by setting it further back from the street and implementing new design elements which soften the building’s exterior.

“Our approach is to take on board, in a positive manner, issues raised in relation to our previous application.

Bryan McFadzean, director of CRPG Architects. Pic Trevor Martin
Bryan McFadzean, director of CRPG Architects. Pic Trevor Martin

“We have appointed a new, local firm, CRPG Architects, led by project director Bryan McFadzean, who are well versed in designing historically sensitive projects in the city centre.

“Mr McFadzean’s fresh pair of eyes will be an asset and he is tasked with delivering a design that is sustainable and successful to bring inward investment, jobs and visitors to the city – as well as playing its part in the council’s aim to revitalise Academy Street.”

Mr McFadzean is currently involved with the Highland Housing Alliance flats and retail project in B-listed premises in Castle Street where he works in liaison with Historic Environment Scotland.

“Our team attended a meeting last week of the council’s design review panel to outline initial ideas and gain an enhanced idea of what they will and will not support,” he said.

“The feedback from that has proved extremely worthwhile and given us a basis to move on to the next design phase.

Mr McFadzean said the hotel entrance would also be developed to offer attractive and visible frontage to Academy Street, while exposing the stone gable of the adjacent building to maintain the definition of the area.

PICTURES: Black Isle care home aims to become part of the community


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