New architect signed up for landmark Coventry scheme

A new architect has been commissioned to take forward a landmark Coventry scheme following a successful design competition.

Warwick-based Corstorphine+Wright – the architects behind EDG Property’s successful New Street Chambers residential scheme in the heart of Birmingham – have now been commissioned to transform Coventry’s famous old Co-op building in the heart of the city.

EDG Property acquired the vacant building – which was a much loved department store for more than half a century before it was closed by the Co-op – along with the neighbouring Hawkins Building.

Prior to the building being locally listed, an initial feasibility study looking at potential options for the building was carried out by Ken Shuttleworth’s MAKE Architects before EDG Property held a design competition to find an architect to take the project through to planning with a view to converting the buildings into an exciting residential apartment led mixed use development with retail, café bars and restaurants at street level.

EDG Property managing director Neil Edginton said the scheme would offer something new for the centre of Coventry and compliment a raft of development currently taking place in the Midlands city.

He said: “Coventry is undoubtedly a city on the up with the success of Coventry University particularly driving a huge amount of student-led development in the city centre but also initiatives such as the £300m City Centre South project and the proposed new leisure centre are going to really get the city buzzing in the coming years.

“We looked at a range of potential uses for this fantastic post war building and felt that with its city centre location, there was undoubtedly a gap in the market for a high quality apartment development with a ground floor leisure offer, to capture the footfall between the city’s thriving Belgrade Theatre and its main shopping area.

“We are delighted to be working again with Corstorphine + Wright on this project and looking forward to seeing our vision for the building becoming reality in due course.”

A detailed planning application is set to be submitted to Coventry City Council next month.